Microsoft Word Chapter 1 done doc

Development of empathy –
There are individual differences when helping during 
emotional distress. Some may help others at the cost of their own 
life, whereas some may enjoy the paid and sufferings of others.
Good children are the children who are not self centered but those 
who respond to needs of others. Children acquire moral values by 
observing behaviour of parents what they do in their day to day life.
Cole believes that primary school years are important during which 
child develops or fails to develop conscience. Research studies 
have provided the examples of how mother’s warmth, and clear 
and forceful messages from parents explaining how others are 
affected by hurtful behaviour play an important role in the 
development of empathy. Child must learn to distinguish between 
justified guilt and unjustified guilt. Justified guilt is experienced after 
causing harm to other person. Unjustified guilt is experienced for 
the bad events for which one is not to be blamed. Child’s sense of 
empathy is enhanced when parents are able to discuss emotions. 
There are wide variations in the experience of empathy, but 
generally children who come from family environments that are 
warm and supportive, tend to be highly sympathetic. 
Women generally express higher empathy than men (Trobst, 
Collins and Embree 1994). There are studies of non Jewish 
Germans, who helped rescue Jews from Nazis in this World War II.
By a ratio of two to one women out numbered men in this brave 
prosocial activity (Anderson 1993). A special instance of such 
empathy is the response of people catastrophes like earthquake, 
bombing, and long lasting draught experienced by total strangers.
Most people respond with empathy and sometimes with material 
assistance. The greatest concern is shown when victim resembles 
oneself. Those who have experienced hurricane are especially 
responsive to hurricane victims (Sattler, Adams and Watts 1995).
Those who have experienced flood are more responsive to flood 
victims. 

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