Compassion

Abstract: What is compassion? And how did it evolve? In this review, we integrate 3 evolutionary arguments that converge on the hypothesis that compassion evolved as a distinct affective experience whose primary function is to facilitate cooperation and protection of the weak and those who suffer. Our empirical review reveals compassion to have distinct appraisal processes attuned to undeserved suffering; distinct signaling behavior related to caregiving patterns of touch, posture, and vocalization; and a phenomenological experience and physiological response that orients the individual to social approach. This response profile of compassion differs from those of distress, sadness, and love, suggesting that compassion is indeed a distinct emotion. We conclude by considering how compassion shapes moral judgment and action, how it varies across different cultures, and how it may engage specific patterns of neural activation, as well as emerging directions of research.

Abstract: Psychotherapists who work with the chronic illness tend to disregard their own self-care needs when focusing on the needs of clients. The article discusses the concept of compassion fatigue, a form of caregiver burnout among psychotherapists and contrasts it with simple burnout and countertransference. It includes a multi-factor model of compassion fatigue that emphasizes the costs of caring, empathy, and emotional investment in helping the suffering. The model suggests that psychotherapists that limiting compassion stress, dealing with traumatic memories, and more effectively managing case loads are effective ways of avoiding compassion fatigue. The model also suggests that, to limit compassion stress, psychotherapists with chronic illness need to development methods for both enhancing satisfaction and learning to separate from the work emotionally and physically in order to feel renewed. A case study illustrates how to help someone with compassion fatigue.

Abstract: Compassion focused therapy (CFT) is rooted in an evolutionary, functional analysis of basic social motivational systems (e.g., to live in groups, form hierarchies and ranks, seek out sexual, partners help and share with alliances, and care for kin) and different functional emotional systems (e.g., to respond to threats, seek out resources, and for states of contentment/safeness). In addition, about 2 million years ago, (pre-)humans began to evolve a range of cognitive competencies for reasoning, reflection, anticipating, imagining, mentalizing, and creating a socially contextualized sense of self. These new competencies can cause major difficulties in the organization of (older) motivation and emotional systems. CFT suggests that our evolved brain is therefore potentially problematic because of its basic 'design,' being easily triggered into destructive behaviours and mental health problems (called 'tricky brain'). However, mammals and especially humans have also evolved motives and emotions for affiliative, caring and altruistic behaviour that can organize our brain in such a way as to significantly offset our destructive potentials. CFT therefore highlights the importance of developing people's capacity to (mindfully) access, tolerate, and direct affiliative motives and emotions, for themselves and others, and cultivate inner compassion as a way for organizing our human 'tricky brain' in prosocial and mentally healthy ways.

Abstract: Part I: Conceptualisations and Research. Gilbert, Introduction and Outline. Gilbert, Compassion and Cruelty: A Biopsychosocial Approach. Wang, A Conceptual Framework for Integrating Research Related to the Physiology of Compassion and the Wisdom of Buddhist Teachings. Gillath, Shaver, Mikulincer, An Attachment-theoretical Approach to Compassion and Altruism. Bierhoff, The Psychology of Compassion and Prosocial Behaviour. Worthington Jr., O' Connor, Berry, Sharp, Murray, Yi, Compassion and Forgiveness: Implications for Psychotherapy. Part II: Compassion and Use in Psychotherapy. Leahy, A Social-cognitive Model of Validation. Rinpoche, Mullen, The Buddhist Use of Compassionate Imagery in Mind Healing. Allen, Knight, Mindfulness, Compassion for Self, and Compassion for Others: Implications for Understanding the Psychopathology and Treatment of Depression. Gilbert, Irons, Focused Therapies and Compassionate Mind Training for Shame and Self-attacking. Lee, The Perfect Nurturer: A Model to Develop a Compassionate Mind Within the Context of Cognitive Therapy. Hackman, Compassionate Imagery in the Treatment of Early Memories in Axis I Anxiety Disorders. Bates, The Expression of Compassion in Group Cognitive Therapy.