
Empathy
What it is and why it matters
David Howe(Author)
Bloomsbury Academic (Publisher)
Published on 19. November 2012
Book
Paperback/Softback
248 pages
978-1-137-27642-1 (ISBN)
Description
Empathy is profoundly important for understanding people's feelings and behaviour. It is not only an essential skill in conducting successful personal and working relationships, it also helps us understand what makes people moral and societies decent.
With this compelling book, David Howe invites the reader on an illuminating journey of discovery into how empathy was first conceptualised and how its influence has steadily risen and spread. He captures the growing significance of empathy to many fields, from evolutionary psychology and brain science to moral philosophy and mental health. In doing so, he eloquently explains its importance to child development, intimate relationships, therapy, the creative arts, neurology and ethics.
Written with light touch, this is an authoritative and insightful guide to empathy, its importance, why we have it and how it develops. It offers an invaluable introduction for readers everywhere, including those studying or working in psychology, counselling, psychotherapy, social work, health, nursing and education.
With this compelling book, David Howe invites the reader on an illuminating journey of discovery into how empathy was first conceptualised and how its influence has steadily risen and spread. He captures the growing significance of empathy to many fields, from evolutionary psychology and brain science to moral philosophy and mental health. In doing so, he eloquently explains its importance to child development, intimate relationships, therapy, the creative arts, neurology and ethics.
Written with light touch, this is an authoritative and insightful guide to empathy, its importance, why we have it and how it develops. It offers an invaluable introduction for readers everywhere, including those studying or working in psychology, counselling, psychotherapy, social work, health, nursing and education.
Reviews / Votes
'A fascinating, well-written and wide-ranging exploration of the concept of empathy' - Professor Ernesto Spinelli, author of Practising Existential Psychotherapy 'Throughout this highly accessible book, David Howe communicates complex subjects with magisterial clarity and ease.' - Bernard R Moss, Emeritus Professor of Social Work Education and Spirituality, Staffordshire UniversityMore details
Edition
2012
Language
English
Place of publication
London
United Kingdom
Publishing group
Bloomsbury Publishing PLC
Target group
Professional and scholarly
Product notice
Paperback (trade)
Dimensions
Height: 203 mm
Width: 127 mm
Thickness: 13 mm
Weight
271 gr
ISBN-13
978-1-137-27642-1 (9781137276421)
DOI
10.1007/978-1-137-27643-8
Schweitzer Classification
Other editions
Additional editions

E-Book
11/2012
1st Edition
Bloomsbury Academic
€29.99
Available for download
Person
DAVID HOWE OBE is currently an Emeritus Professor in the School of Social Work and Psychology at UEA. His research and writing interests span social work theory, adoption, emotional intelligence, attachment theory, and child abuse and neglect. To date, he has written 17 books, many of them regarded as best-sellers.
Content
Acknowledgements.- Introducing Empathy.- Origins and Definitions.- The Evolution of the Empathic Mind.- How Children Develop Empathy.- The Empathic Brain.- Individual Differences in Empathy Levels.- When Empathy is Absent or Low.- Psychopathy and Borderline Personality Disorder.- Social Perspectives and Client Experiences.- Empathic Communication and Helping Relationships.- Why Empathy Works.- Empathy, Morals and Prosocial Behaviour.- Promoting Empathy in Children.- Promoting Empathy in Adults.- Living Well Together: Empathy and Social Cohesion.- Being Human