Understanding How Reading Teaches Empathy
Download as PPTX, PDF0 likes25 views
Uzi Ben-Ami, Ph.D., a psychologist, emphasizes the connection between reading and the development of empathy, noting that fiction allows readers to experience the emotions of characters, enhancing their understanding of others. This skill is crucial for building relationships and addressing global challenges. He advises parents to engage their children with quality literature to foster emotional intelligence.
Understanding How Reading Teaches Empathy
- 1. UNDERSTANDING HOW READINGTEACHES EMPATHY Uzi Ben-Ami, Ph.D.
- 2. Introduction • A psychologist with a focus on psychotherapy, Uzi Ben-Ami, Ph.D., has operated his own practice in Rockville, Maryland, since 1993. Beyond his professional activities, Uzi Ben-Ami, Ph.D., is an avid reader. He counts Howard Norman, Erich Fromm,Viktor Frankl, and the novelist AnneTyler among his favorite authors. Reading is directly connected to literacy and the ability to use language; beyond this clear benefit, studies show that it trains us to handle emotions, both our own and those of others. Research suggests that reading fiction actually tricks a person into thinking he or she is part of the story. As a result, the reader feels empathy--that is, he or she relates to how the characters think and feel, an experience that takes place on a neurological level. A person capable of empathy has a core life skill, one that will help him or her develop better relationships and excel in group settings.Today, empathy is increasingly viewed as key to tackling global challenges. Parents seeking to develop their children's empathic skills should help them to connect with high- quality books and learn a vocabulary for feelings.