Original scientific paper
Empathy, Communication, Deception
Tomislav Janović
Vladimir Ivković
Damir Nazor
Karl Grammer
Veljko Jovanović
Abstract
Empathy is understood as a mode of understanding operating on a subconscious
level of mental processing. The cognitive element can only abstractly be distinguished
from its affective expression. When recognizing a fellow creature we involuntarily sympathize
with it. Recognition of covert motivations of overt behavior is the first step in formation
of a communication channel between two (or more) empathizing agents. Yet,
since communication evolved in variably complex social environments it was subject to
pressure of conflicting individual interests. Deception thus evolved as an adaptive evolutionary
strategy. Empathic understanding does not necessarily entail recognition of
agent’s real intentions. Deception may be achieved on both conscious and unconscious
processing levels. A sufficient degree of biopsychosocial maturity must be reached for a
child to be able to independently recognize verbal and non-verbal communication finesses.
Once this level has been attained, the prevailing emotional orientation determines
his/her degree of empathizing competence.
Keywords
empathy; communication; deception; mirror neurons
Hrčak ID:
28175
URI
Publication date:
15.12.2003.
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