Empathy is a common term that has an elusive definition and nebulous parameters. In this first episode, we set out to walk through definitions of empathy and try to narrow it down to its most critical features. Further, we describe the scientific attempts to objectively measure empathetic observation. Next week, we will explain the development of empathy and when people become extremely empathetic or deficient in empathy. 

Recommendations part 1

• Abraham: The Bear (season 3; https://www.fxnetworks.com/shows/the-bear)
• Shane: Gojira performing at the Olympics (https://loudwire.com/gojira-first-metal-band-play-olympics-opening-ceremony-watch/)

Holidays (08/07/2024:

• Aged Care Employee Day (Australia)
• Mom’s Equal Pay Day
• National Beach Party Day
• National Lighthouse Day
• National Psychiatric Technician Appreciation Day
• National Raspberries and Cream Day
• National Opportunity Day
• National Sea Serpent Day
• Particularly Preposterous Packaging Day
• Professional Speakers Day
• Purple Heart Day
• Exercise with your Child Week
• International Assistance Dog Week
• International Clown Week
• International Mathematicians Week
• National Bargain Hunting Week
• National Minority Donor Awareness Week
• Simply Your Life week
• Weird Contest Week
• World Breastfeeding Week
• Marine Week
• Child Vision Awareness Month
• National Breastfeeding Month
• Beautiful in your Skin Month
• Cheerleading Safety Month

Links and References:
Links: 

1. https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/empathy
2. Luciano, et al. (2020). Perspective taking, empathy, and compassion. In Applied Behavior Analysis of Language and Cognition (Fryling et al, Eds). Oakland, CA: Context Press
3. Wilson, D. S., & Hayes, S. C. (2018). Evolution and contextual behavior science. Oakland, CA: Context Press. 
4. Barnes-Holmes et al. (2001). Psychological development. In Relational Frame Theory: A Post-Skinnerian Account of Human Language and Cognition. New York, NY: Klewur Acadmic/Plenum Press
5. Skinner, B. F. (1974). About behaviorism. New York, NY: Random House.
6. https://www.humintell.com/2019/05/the-cultural-significance-of-smiling/
7. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC6169872/
8. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC10427576/#:~:text=Several%20studies%20showed%20that%20adults,develop%20alexithymia%20and%20low%20empathy.
9. https://journals.sagepub.com/doi/10.1177/1541204020939647
10. https://psycnet.apa.org/record/2020-88174-004
11. https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/abs/10.1080/13554794.2013.826695
12. https://uktherapyguide.com/empathy-disorder-what-is-it-symptoms-and-how-to-overcome-it
13. https://www.theguardian.com/lifeandstyle/2022/apr/29/confessions-of-a-hyper-empath
14. https://www.verywellmind.com/hyper-empathy-in-autism-8426957
15. https://www.theedgetreatment.com/hyper-empathy-disorder-what-happens-when-you-feel-too-much/
16. https://www.psychalive.org/empaths/
17. https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/blog/living-finesse/202202/the-challenges-being-empath

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