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Empathy

In: Social Issues

Submitted By luska2014
Words 1263
Pages 6
Do you listen and respond in ways that a significant person in your life would perceive as empathic? I would define empathy by the words of Rogers (1975), one of the most influential American psychologists in the exploration of empathy, that it means” entering the private perceptual world of the other and becoming thoroughly at home in it” (“Empathic: An Unappreciated Way of Being,” para. 17). In my mind, in this short definition there is everything what empathy consists of. To be attentive and delicate without making judgments or expectations, to be respectful and willing to center other person’s feelings and emotions, and to put aside our own needs and concerns for a while. The listener lets the speaker know, "I understand your problem and how you are feeling about it and I am interested in what you are saying and I am not judging you." When dealing with a person who is feeling troubled empathic listening and supporting response become the most important and powerful strategies to apply. As Adler, Rodman and Sevigny (2011) say that ” in empathic listening… the goal is to build a relationship or help the speaker solve a problem… to become better acquainted with others and show them that their opinions and feelings matter to you” (p. 152). From my point of view, neither advising response nor judging response is appropriate in such sort of situations. Furthermore, they more likely make the situation worse and make a person to feel more frustrated and embarrassed, or even to withdraw into himself. Some people may treat unasked comments and advises as a put-down and willingness to get rid of them, which, in turn, can lead to deeper personal problems and lose of self – confidence and self-esteem. On the other hand, supporting response is exactly what a person need from an empathic listener. Whatever form a supporting response

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