How do some people have empathy while others don't?
The title and basically a few questions regarding this. What would you say the percentages of people that are able to act compassionate are? Is this due to differences in brain wiring? Can this be observed on brain scans? Why do some who were abused in childhood develop empathy while others don't?
I am seeking for answers because I am often a target of abusive people and they really do make my life hard for no good reason.
@fearlessLake3608 I don't think there is a reason it excuse for any type of abuse. Sympathises with you ❤❤❤
@Tinywhisper11 Are you saying anyone can be an abuser?
@fearlessLake3608 I'm saying that no one has the right to hurt anybody else 😟
One reason is this.
It's also called "Antisocial Personality Disorder" or ASPD, & a few other things. Such people literally cannot feel empathy for another sentient being...you could say it's a congenital condition. It cannot be cured & probably never will be cured.
Edited Sept 6, 2023
I know what you mean by being a target. For me the people that "abused" me I feel like I abused them back in a twisted way. I feel like we were both not capable enough to have a positive relationship with each other.
Yes, I can be a target but as someone who has trouble communicating directly I have a tendency to get my needs met in some manipulative manner.
Ultimately I think most people are about as good as anybody else and I wish I could be more moral but I saw how I behave and yes I can be very compassionate but where does that come from? Is it really without a selfish motive?
Maybe I am too selfish of a person to answer your question...
I have mixed emotions so sometimes I feel it sometimes I don’t if someone is yelling i disassociate I won’t listen to anything I won’t say anything I won’t care about anything I won’t feel anything but I’m also able to sit and have a conversation and listen I can’t talk about my feelings much it’s like I feel but I don’t. I care about others feelings but not my own if that makes sense I can be there for u but u can beg me to let u be there for me but I don’t know how bc I don’t know how I feel or what I’m feeling if any of that makes sense and idk if that helps with ur question or not.
@fearlessLake3608 Genetics might be one of the main reasons .Some traits are hidden at first and then triggered by our environement and certain circumstances like family problems ,a depression episode...etc .Or the parents could have a high levels of compassion and so are their kids and then there's always some suprises again hidden in the genome.
My theory is that empathy can be lost based on childhood abuse. I don't have the studies to prove it but my experience is that narcissistic people were badly hurt very early in life.
I think it's somehow related to Maslow's hierarchy of needs. If we are abused, our survival is on the line and we lose that special part of our humanity so that we can focus more on staying alive. But if we come from a warm loving place we are way more likely to share kindness with others.
