CM 140: Elizabeth Segal on Why We Need Social Empathy

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Jul 30, 2019

Elizabeth Segal, a Professor in Social Work at Arizona State University and author of 'Social Empathy: The Art of Understanding Others,' dives into the crucial role of social empathy in shaping public policy. She highlights how Hurricane Katrina exposed the devastating lack of empathy toward marginalized communities. Through engaging classroom exercises, she demonstrates how to cultivate empathy among students. Segal also discusses the barriers to empathy, such as fear and dehumanization, and the importance of ongoing curiosity in bridging societal divides.

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INSIGHT

Fear Blocks Empathy

Primitive fear evolved to protect us but it also blocks empathy when we view others as threats.
Cognitive processing can temper fear and open space for empathic understanding instead of reactive hostility.

INSIGHT

Otherness Comes From Limited Exposure

Outgroup otherness often stems from limited exposure and survival-driven caution about strangers.
Familiarity through contact reduces perceived threat and increases capacity to see others as human.

INSIGHT

Power's Empathy Paradox

Power creates a paradox: it can dull empathic attention but, if held by empathic people, enables better policy change.
Getting empathic people into power would amplify insights about what communities need.

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How is our lack of social empathy affecting millions of people in surprising, unexpected ways? To maintain and deepen our relationships with other individuals, we need empathy. To craft policies that effectively serve entire groups, we need what Elizabeth Segal, author of the book, Social Empathy: The Art of Understanding Others, refers to as social empathy. Yet for most of us, social empathy is a blind spot, one with often devastating consequences when it comes to public policies in areas like, education, healthcare, and politics. For example, Elizabeth points to Hurricane Katrina as an example of how a lack of social empathy delayed fixing the collapsed levees: “The public policies were never put in place because the people who had the power to make those policies didn’t live in those neighborhoods, particularly the poorest neighborhoods.” To counter this blind spot, Elizabeth explains that we need to understand what social empathy is and how it operates. In this interview, she shares how our biology and experiences influence and shape this capacity, along with what we can do to cultivate it. For example, she describes a teaching experience that sparked social empathy in her students: “They started to learn in a small way that life is different when you’re poor than when you’re not.” Elizabeth is Professor of Social Work at Arizona State University. She’s also author of the book, Social Welfare Policy and Social Programs: A Values Perspective, and co-author of Assessing Empathy. The Team You can learn more about Curious Minds Host and Creator, Gayle Allen, and Producer, Rob Mancabelli, by visiting @CuriousGayle and www.gayleallen.net. Episode Links Outgroup Bias The Power of Human by Adam Waytz The War for Kindness by Jamil Zaki How Toyota Turns Workers into Problem Solvers by Sarah Jane Johnston Social Empathy Center Support the Podcast If you enjoy the podcast, there are three simple ways you can support our work. First, subscribe so you’ll never miss an episode. Second, tell a friend or family member. You’ll always have someone to talk to about the interview. Third, rate and review the podcast wherever you subscribe. You’ll be helping listeners find their next podcast. Look for the Curious Minds Podcast on: Spotify iTunes Tunein Stitcher Google Play Overcast