College students today are less likely to "get" the emotions of others than their counterparts 20 and 30 years ago, a new review study suggests.
Specifically, today's students scored 40 percent lower on a measure of empathy than their elders did.
The findings are based on a review of 72 studies of 14,000 American college students overall conducted between 1979 and 2009.
"We found the biggest drop in empathy after the year 2000," said Sara Konrath, a researcher at the University of Michigan's Institute for Social Research.
The study was presented this week at the annual meeting of the Association for Psychological Science in Boston.
Other recent studies have shown mixed results on the character of today's youth. For instance, one study of more than 450,000 high-school seniors born at different time periods showed today's youth are no more self-centered than their parents were at their age.
Do we really need to 'get' the emotions of other to be polite?
I bump into someone at the store with my cart, I tell them that I'm sorry. I don't feel any empathy, but I'm being polite.
I know when I'm upset, I don't need anyone to 'get' my emotions, just be polite. At the same time, simple politeness also seems to mean more to a person when they're upset. So maybe being polite makes them think you're feeling empathy?
But, on the flip side, I think some of the kids lately are too sheltered from some hard facts of life. Things like consequences to actions, death, and pain. Having not experienced some of the harder parts of life, they don't know how much someone appreciates the kindness/politeness they receive, so the kids don't act or speak politely or kindly.
I'd like to see the questions they were asked to arrive at this. Might be more a case of they're just tired of other people's crap. But can't tell w/o seeing it.
I'm only 21 and feel the same as everyone above! I have worked a paying job since I was 15 and long befoe that I worked for free on the farm. I know what it takes to survive this world and I know how to care for people. It's part of my daily life. As I stated, I'm only 21, but I learned a lot during high school when I worked in a nursing home. The elderly folks love it when you listen to them. Sometimes you don't know how much it means to someone to have someone listen to them. I could go on and on, but I'll wrap it up. Kids now a days, kinds from my generation and those younger just don't know how to behave, rather treat other people. I say live bythe Golden rule and everything will be dandy!
Do you think the lack of empathy and decenitisation are related! You are what you are, if thats tucked neatly in a basement playing video games or watching snuff porn.
Right now right here we are suffering from to much empathy. Right now we are saying it is ok to live beond your means it is ok to get now and pay later. Right now there are people on welfair shopping for a 52" plasma. Right now right here judjing from youre PSN members age poll. There are kids dumping thousands into there trucks i am willing to bet isnt cash or saved for. The value of a dollar and responsabilty for youre actions has went out the window due to our generations empathey towards others and our children. We could use more of a suck it up attitude instead of this ##### bailout everybody krap and this mommy i want a huge exspensive truck OK billy stop crying bull we are in right now.
Right now right here we are suffering from to much empathy. Right now we are saying it is ok to live beond your means it is ok to get now and pay later. Right now there are people on welfair shopping for a 52" plasma.
I have to agree with elmo. The questions make all the difference. These type of surveys are practically useless because we view our surrounding differently as we age. Sounds like most of the guys here are at the age where you stand on the sidewalk waving your cane at traffic yelling, "Slow down, ya punks!!!"
My wife volunteers for a youth leadership organization. High school kids mostly, but past participants stay around to help. The level of interest in others is really impressive. Among other things, they do work in elderly homes and with low income/disability aid programs and they really enjoy it.
And this is not a small group from a church or something that has always been socially aware. These are kids are picked from all over by their high school guidance counselors that in many cases have never participated in this kind of thing before.
These kids and the stories I've heard about the huge response for Haiti via text message donation and the number of youth groups that have responded to other catastrophes like Katrina (in much higher numbers than older age groups) proves to me that the generation in school now 'gets it' more than many have for years.
I think kids will always seem self centered to older adults. When you have a job, a family, a dog, a diesel truck, etc.. you spend nearly all your time taking care of someone or something else. But when you are younger, your time is all about you. And that's a good thing. You have to get an education so that you can be productive the rest of your life. You have to hang with friend to learn how to behave socially. You have to concentrate on learning how to do everything. And they might as well enjoy the time they have to do it. Because they'll be like us sooner than they know.
But of course, there's always going to be punks that need a cane swung at them every once in a while!
The insecure don't stand by their principles and be willing to consistently voice them................in a milieu whereby 90% of the views are in contrast to their own.
I was saying something? Oh yeah, Una cerveza, por favor
This is an older thread, you may not receive a response, and could be reviving an old thread. Please consider creating a new thread.
Related Threads
?
?
?
?
?
Ford Power Stroke Nation
2.5M posts
107.4K members
Since 2007
A forum community dedicated to Ford Power Stroke owners and enthusiasts. Come join the discussion about diesel performance, modifications, EGR deletes, troubleshooting, lift kits, tires, wheels, maintenance, and more!