Disordered empathy - development

Atypical empathy

disrupted development that can have a different or disturbed presentation

Disturbed presentation

double dissociations, dark empathy, psychopaths

Brain maturation

biological/genetic yet highly sensitive to environments

When do synapes form for emotional and memory funtions?

0-2 years old

Psychological neglect

short and long term cognitive and emotional developmental deficits

What can neglect lead to?

cognitive delays, attachment problems, weakening of neural pathways, problems with emotional regulation, lower self esteem

Abuse

severe cognitive and emotional deficits

What does abuse lead to?

aberrant pathways,

increase in aggression, behavioral problems, and psychiatric disorders

and a decrease in empathy

What does abuse do to the brain?

reduce hippocampal volume

Neurodiversity

difference in the way people may think or feel, with neural variation

Autism

neurotype associated with unique strengths and challenges

How does empathy show up in those with autism?

there is usually a deficit

Empathy

1) notice someones emotional behavior

2) correctly interpret the emotion

3) resonate/mirror

4) expressing a correct response

Mirror touch synthesia

an increase in emotional empathy where one has a better ability to read facial expressions

Dark triad

machiarellianism, narcissism, psychopathy