Three Ways to Find Happiness on Facebook
May 21, 2012How to keep your child safe (and happy) online, Part 2
Fall/Winter 2005-06 (Volume II, Issue 2)
The Science and Practice of Empathy
Can we really feel someone else’s pain? Research and stories featured in this issue of Greater Good shed light on our deeply rooted ability to empathize with other people, enabling us to feel their emotions as our own. Authors explore the biological roots of empathy, explain ways to cultivate it, and consider how current social conditions inhibit the expression of empathy in the United States. The issue also features an interview with Robert Putnam, author of the book Bowling Alone, about what Hurricane Katrina revealed about Americans’ sense of community.
Buy this back issue
In Brief
Everyday Achievements (03)
By Matthew Wheeland | Fall/Winter 2005-06What’s the key to academic success for kids struggling in school, especially those coming from disadvantaged backgrounds?
Q&A
Rebuilding Community after Katrina (05)
By Jason Marsh | Fall/Winter 2005-06An Interview with Bowling Alone author Robert Putnam
Features
The Evolution of Empathy (06)
By Frans de Waal | Fall/Winter 2005-06We tend to think of empathy as a uniquely human trait. But it’s something apes and other animals demonstrate as well, says primatologist Frans de Waal. He shows how our evolutionary history suggests a deep-rooted propensity for feeling the emotions of others.
The Chauffeur’s Dilemma (09)
By Arlie Hochschild | Fall/Winter 2005-06The rich are getting richer and the poor are getting left behind. Why don’t more people stick up for fellow citizens facing hard times? Because, argues Arlie Hochschild, empathy is being squeezed from the American way of life.
A Feeling for Fiction (10)
By Keith Oatley | Fall/Winter 2005-06Books, movies, and plays are more than just entertainment, says psychologist and novelist Keith Oatley. They train us in the art of being human. He explains how fictional works nurture empathy and enhance our social and emotional lives.
Feeling Like Partners (12)
By Philip A. Cowan, Carolyn P. Cowan, Neera Mehta | Fall/Winter 2005-06When it comes to romantic relationships, empathy is essential, but it isn’t always easy, say family researchers Philip A. Cowan, Carolyn Pape Cowan, and Neera Mehta. They explain the obstacles couples face—and how to overcome them.
The Bully Problem (14)
By Amy Wilson | Fall/Winter 2005-06The results are in: Violence, insults, and intimidation among kids do more psychological harm than anyone anticipated. But can schools do anything about it?
Mother Nurture (17)
By Lyssa Mudd | Fall/Winter 2005-06Darlene Francis’s research challenges the way we think about how our genes and our environment interact. Her findings offer some surprises—and some hope.
Book Reviews
Book Review: Pursuing the Science of Happiness (18)
By Mirka Knaster | Fall/Winter 2005-06A review of Happiness: Lessons From a New Science by Richard Layard and Happiness: The Science Behind Your Smile by Daniel Nettle
Book Review: Positive Psychology in Practice (19)
By Christine Carter | Fall/Winter 2005-06Edited by P. Alex Linley and Stephen Joseph
Wiley, 2004, 770 pages
Book Review: Field Notes on the Compassionate Life (20)
By Jason Marsh | Fall/Winter 2005-06By Marc Ian Barasch
Rodale, 2005, 367 pages
Book Review: Unconditional Parenting (21)
By Dawn Friedman | Fall/Winter 2005-06By Alfie Kohn
Atria Books, 2005, 264 pages
Most...
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Four Ways Happiness Can Hurt You
May 3, 2012Can feeling good ever be bad? New research says yes—and points the way to a healthier, more balanced life.
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How to Foster Group Creativity
April 11, 2012In the second of a two-part conversation, Imagine author Jonah Lehrer explains how science can help teams become more creative.
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You’re Never Too Old to Build Emotional Intelligence
April 24, 2012A recent study suggests we can learn to regulate and manage our emotions even after we’re reached adulthood.
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Four Ways Happiness Can Hurt You
May 3, 2012Can feeling good ever be bad? New research says yes—and points the way to a healthier, more balanced life.
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Five Lessons in Human Goodness from “The Hunger Games”
April 18, 2012The plot of the new film sounds cynical. But it reveals a surprising amount about the science of human goodness.
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Lessons in Creativity from Caine’s Arcade
May 1, 2012The latest viral video sensation is more than a portrait of a cute and creative kid. It's a guide to how we can nurture kids' imagination.
Greater Good Live
When is Stress Good for You?
Combining wit with deep knowledge, Robert Sapolsky explains the optimal amount of stress.
WatchThe Greater Good Guide to Mindfulness
This invaluable resource, a special benefit for GGSC members, offers insight into what mindfulness is, why it’s important, and how to teach it.
Get the GuidePathways to Gratefulness
The Palace of Fine Arts, San FranciscoJune 23rd 2012, 10am-5pm
Network for Grateful Living presents a summit geared at awakening the practice of gratefulness and grateful living in all of us.
Greater Good Sections
- Tools for the Greater Good
- Book Reviews
- Pop Culture Review
- Ideas for the Greater Good
- Noted
- Research Reviews
- Research Digests
Sponsors
Special thanks to
The Quality of Life Foundation for its support of the Greater Good Science Center
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