Empathy in sociology?
This may underline some of the motivations for social interaction in humans: "Rodents have been shown to demonstrate empathy for cagemates (but not strangers) in pain" ^ Dale J. Langford, Sara E. Crager, Zarrar Shehzad, Shad B. Smith, Susana G. Sotocinal, Jeremy S. Levenstadt, Mona Lisa Chanda, Daniel J. Levitin, Jeffrey S. Mogil (June 30, 2006). "Social Modulation of Pain as Evidence for Empathy in Mice". Science 312: 1967 - 1970.
At around the same time some other studies were done on population in fixed size enclosures using rats that burrow. They were provided unlimited food but limited space. The population stayed constant with small deviation, around 80. There was seemingly arbitrary social conflict over territory, highly regulated through status.
Empathy and scarcity, two opposing emotional motivations.
Postulate #1: We might be able to reduce scarcity and empathy will automatically raise
Postulate #2: by helping groups identify as a single supra-group, they won't perceive the other (now subgroups) as "other" and will be more easily capable of empathy
Postulate #3: we divide people into groups and limit their need for interaction, they diverge but empathize internally.
Was studying empathy a bit. It is interesting to note the very deep and large distinction between empathy, which is very positive, and Emotional Contagion, which is usually negative and can lead to all sorts of social problems. Empathy is a positive feedback, while social contagion is a lack of self determination. Without a strong will and the ability to choose between personal emotions and the contagious emotions, someone is just overridden by the emotions of everyone around.
At around the same time some other studies were done on population in fixed size enclosures using rats that burrow. They were provided unlimited food but limited space. The population stayed constant with small deviation, around 80. There was seemingly arbitrary social conflict over territory, highly regulated through status.
Empathy and scarcity, two opposing emotional motivations.
Postulate #1: We might be able to reduce scarcity and empathy will automatically raise
Postulate #2: by helping groups identify as a single supra-group, they won't perceive the other (now subgroups) as "other" and will be more easily capable of empathy
Postulate #3: we divide people into groups and limit their need for interaction, they diverge but empathize internally.
Was studying empathy a bit. It is interesting to note the very deep and large distinction between empathy, which is very positive, and Emotional Contagion, which is usually negative and can lead to all sorts of social problems. Empathy is a positive feedback, while social contagion is a lack of self determination. Without a strong will and the ability to choose between personal emotions and the contagious emotions, someone is just overridden by the emotions of everyone around.