Previous research had measured more of narcisissm than lack of empathy. On those particular questionaires, it included questions such as "I am a special person". This would be more connected to narcissicm. The survey on empathy used in recent studies obviously measures empathy. People can easily make themselves look like better, kinder people. However, they don't. Clearly it is measuring the truth. College students do not even care about seeming uncaring. This is a big issue. So what is the cause of this?
While reading through many articles I found many different opinions. All included technology. Others included things such as economic inequality, type of culture you live in, etc. It seems to be a mix of things that are causing it, but many clearly think technology is a major factor.
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I think all the other factors definitely need to be taken in to account. I for one don't really see how the use of technology would affect someone's empathy for others, but I suppose if that's what studies show there must be some sort of correlation. I would be interested to hear about the studies in more detail.
ReplyDeletei think its interesting that studies like these are out there, although i also think it wold be nice to here the statistics behind how many people in our generation lack empathy. i know that it does happen because i personally know many people lacking in empathy but they are not strictly from one generation. i think technology could be a major cause of it though. the website 4chan is an interesting example of that along with loss of empathy i think it has caused incoming generations be become desensitized.
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