PROFILE

Stylianos Syropoulos

Stylianos Syropoulos, Ph.D., is an assistant professor in the College of Global Futures at Arizona State University. He directs the Intergenerational Decisions and Effective Action (IDEA) Lab. The IDEA lab conducts research which aims to understand the human dimensions of morality, prosociality, and sustainability, with a particular focus on our moral obligation to protect future generations.

What Makes Us Help Others—the Head or the Heart?

By Kyle Fiore Law, Brendan Bo O'Connor, Stylianos Syropoulos | December 11, 2025

While critics argue that empathy can be limiting, new research finds that empathy and reasoning work together to drive people to help more.

Greater Good In Action

Try research-based strategies for happiness, resilience, kindness & connection.

Learn More
How to Listen to Teens with Compassion

One of the most meaningful expressions of compassion we can show another person is to listen deeply to them–and that’s just as true for parents and teens. As our teens move toward becoming more independent from us, sometimes they tend to be less inclined to share personal hardships. When they do share, it can be a valuable opportunity to show them our love and desire to understand them.

When your teens make a bid to talk to you about their challenges, respond by letting them know you’re available for them. Show that you’re really listening—with warmth and non-judgment.

In this video, Lee and his teen, Noah, take a first step practicing five ways to listen to truly hear.

Learn more about this practice with step-by-step guidance at our library of research-tested practices for teens, "Listening to Your Teen with Compassion."

This is the second video in our "Parenting to Nurture Skills to Bridge Differences" series."

Facilitator | Dhaarmika Coelho, Founder of Camp Kindness Counts
Production Company | Anaconda Street Productions
Partners on the Bridging Differences Parenting Practices | Generation Citizen and Making Caring Common
How Qigong Can Calm Your Mind and Body

Studies show qigong can strengthen your body and mind, and reduce cortisol levels. We explore this Chinese meditative movement practice that dates back over 4,000 years.

This article — and everything on this site — is funded by readers like you.

What Makes Us Help Others—the Head or the Heart?