How Compassion Changes You
Reader's Digest India|May 2016

With some simple changes, a kinder, gentler culture could be within reach

Brandie Weikle
How Compassion Changes You

In a world filled with headlines about mass shootings and terrorist attacks, it’s easy to wonder, What’s wrong with people these days?

That’s a fair question. One study released by the University of Michigan in 2010 seems to suggest we’re collectively becoming less considerate. After surveying college students, lead researcher Sarah Konrath discovered a 40 per cent decline in empathy—the ability to relate to perspectives and feelings of others—over the previous 30 years. Konrath and her team attributed this trend to an overall spike in narcissism, individualism and material self-interest. They linked it to a waning inclination to show concern for others and adopt their perspectives. While this rate of decline appeared to be relatively stable between 1979 and 1999, it nearly tripled after the year 2000.

That study started a public conversation about whether we’re collectively becoming more heartless in general. But before you bemoan the collapse of civilized society, fear not: experts say we can take steps to reverse this trend.

Make Time to Connect

この記事は Reader's Digest India の May 2016 版に掲載されています。

7 日間の Magzter GOLD 無料トライアルを開始して、何千もの厳選されたプレミアム ストーリー、9,000 以上の雑誌や新聞にアクセスしてください。

この記事は Reader's Digest India の May 2016 版に掲載されています。

7 日間の Magzter GOLD 無料トライアルを開始して、何千もの厳選されたプレミアム ストーリー、9,000 以上の雑誌や新聞にアクセスしてください。

READER'S DIGEST INDIAのその他の記事すべて表示
She Defied All the Odds
Reader's Digest India

She Defied All the Odds

When doctors told the McCoombes that spina bifida would severely limit their daughter's life, they refused to listen. So did the little girl

time-read
9 分  |
December 2024
DO YOU DARE?
Reader's Digest India

DO YOU DARE?

Two Danish businesswomen want us to start eating insects. It's good for the environment, but can consumers get over the yuck factor?

time-read
5 分  |
December 2024
Searching for Santa Claus
Reader's Digest India

Searching for Santa Claus

Santa lives at the North Pole, right? Don't say that to the people of Rovaniemi in northern Finland

time-read
6 分  |
December 2024
A Mouthful of Good Health
Reader's Digest India

A Mouthful of Good Health

How two carnivores survived on a guilt-free vegetarian diet in the heartland of Ayurveda

time-read
5 分  |
December 2024
THE FIRST PHOTOBOMBER
Reader's Digest India

THE FIRST PHOTOBOMBER

struck in 1853! And other 'new' fads that are actually ancient history

time-read
8 分  |
December 2024
BURIED IN A SNOW TOMB
Reader's Digest India

BURIED IN A SNOW TOMB

The snowboarder was off the trail, headfirst under six feet of powder. To survive, his luck would need to change

time-read
8 分  |
December 2024
How Risky Are Those Holiday Cocktails, Really?
Reader's Digest India

How Risky Are Those Holiday Cocktails, Really?

The latest recommendations about drinking and your health

time-read
8 分  |
December 2024
13 THINGS New Year's Traditions Around the World
Reader's Digest India

13 THINGS New Year's Traditions Around the World

MOST OF US spend the final seconds of each calendar year watching a nearly 5,440-kilo geodesic sphere descend over Times Square in New York City.

time-read
4 分  |
December 2024
Cookies for Forgiveness
Reader's Digest India

Cookies for Forgiveness

My blowup was half-baked. The apology wasn't

time-read
4 分  |
December 2024
SHOTS! SHOTS! SHOTS! FOR EVERYBODY!
Reader's Digest India

SHOTS! SHOTS! SHOTS! FOR EVERYBODY!

Are you up to date on your vaccines? Our handy guide will let you know

time-read
3 分  |
December 2024