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Empathy and violence have similar circuits in the brain, research suggests

Date:
April 11, 2010
Source:
FECYT - Spanish Foundation for Science and Technology
Summary:
Researchers in Spain have investigated the brain structures involved with empathy -- in other words, the ability to put oneself in another person's position -- and carried out a scientific review of them. They conclude that the brain circuits responsible for empathy are in part the same as those involved with violence.
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Researchers from the University of Valencia (UV) have investigated the brain structures involved with empathy -- in other words, the ability to put oneself in another person's position -- and carried out a scientific review of them. They conclude that the brain circuits responsible for empathy are in part the same as those involved with violence.

"Just as our species could be considered the most violent, since we are capable of serial killings, genocide and other atrocities, we are also the most empathetic species, which would seem to be the other side of the coin," says Luis Moya Albiol, lead author of the study and a researcher at the UV.

This study, published in the most recent issue of the Revista de Neurología, concludes that the prefrontal and temporal cortex, the amygdala and other features of the limbic system (such as insulin and the cingulated cortex) play "a fundamental role in all situations in which empathy appears."

Moya Albiol says these parts of the brain overlap "in a surprising way" with those that regulate aggression and violence. As a result, the scientific team argues that the cerebral circuits -- for both empathy and violence -- could be "partially similar."

"We all know that encouraging empathy has an inhibiting effect on violence, but this may not only be a social question but also a biological one -- stimulation of these neuronal circuits in one direction reduces their activity in the other," the researcher adds.

This means it is difficult for a "more empathetic" brain to behave in a violent way, at least on a regular basis. "Educating people to be empathetic could be an education for peace, bringing about a reduction in conflict and belligerent acts," the researcher concludes.

Techniques for measuring the human brain in vivo, such as functional magnetic resonance imaging, are making it possible to find out more about the structures of the brain that regulate behaviour and psychological processes such as empathy.


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Materials provided by FECYT - Spanish Foundation for Science and Technology. Note: Content may be edited for style and length.


Journal Reference:

  1. Moya-Albiol, L., Herrero, N. y Bernal, M.C. Bases neuronales de la empatía. Revista de Neurología, 2010; 50 (2): 89-100

Cite This Page:

FECYT - Spanish Foundation for Science and Technology. "Empathy and violence have similar circuits in the brain, research suggests." ScienceDaily. ScienceDaily, 11 April 2010. <www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2010/04/100409093405.htm>.
FECYT - Spanish Foundation for Science and Technology. (2010, April 11). Empathy and violence have similar circuits in the brain, research suggests. ScienceDaily. Retrieved March 28, 2024 from www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2010/04/100409093405.htm
FECYT - Spanish Foundation for Science and Technology. "Empathy and violence have similar circuits in the brain, research suggests." ScienceDaily. www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2010/04/100409093405.htm (accessed March 28, 2024).

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