Empathy Represses Analytic Thought, and Vice Versa

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Empathy Represses Analytic Thought, and Vice Versa

Posted by Soulskill on Wednesday October 31, 2012 @07:08AM from the take-note-sports-fans dept.

hessian sends this quote from a Case Western Reserve University news release: "New research shows a simple reason why even the most intelligent, complex brains can be taken by a swindler's story – one that upon a second look offers clues it was false. When the brain fires up the network of neurons that allows us to empathize, it suppresses the network used for analysis, a pivotal study led by a Case Western Reserve University researcher shows (abstract). ... At rest, our brains cycle between the social and analytical networks. But when presented with a task, healthy adults engage the appropriate neural pathway, the researchers found. The study shows for the first time that we have a built-in neural constraint on our ability to be both empathetic and analytic at the same time. The work suggests that established theories about two competing networks within the brain must be revised. More, it provides insights into the operation of a healthy mind versus those of the mentally ill or developmentally disabled."

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Oblig by Konster · 2012-10-31 07:09 · Score: 4, Funny

[spock]Fascinating.[/spock]
1. Re:Oblig by almitydave · 2012-10-31 08:40 · Score: 5, Funny
  
  The "spock" tag has been deprecated in favor of the less implementation-specific "eyebrow" tag. Optionally use the "height" attribute with the following values: spock, jeeves, therock, connery, or scully.
  
  --
  my, your, his/her/its, our, your, their
  I'm, you're, he's/she's/it's, we're, you're, they're
2. Re:Oblig by Noughmad · 2012-10-31 09:00 · Score: 4, Funny
  
  The "spock" tag has been deprecated in favor of the less implementation-specific "eyebrow" tag. Optionally use the "height" attribute with the following values: spock, jeeves, therock, connery, or scully.
  You forgot Teal'c.
  
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Finally explains it by Gothmolly · 2012-10-31 07:12 · Score: 3, Funny

So this is why girls aren't good at math?

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1. Re:Finally explains it by vlm · 2012-10-31 07:29 · Score: 5, Funny
  
  I think this explains why conversations on facebook back when I used to have an account were ridiculous stupid and conversations on /. are usually well above room temp IQ but perhaps lacking in some civility.
  FB: "Boo hoo I think I'm catchcing a cold, ironically; I can't figure the first derivative of 1/x"
  FB: Oh you poor baby lets play farmville together till you feel better, have you tried aromatherapy yet for the cold?
  /. : "Boo hoo I think I'm catchcing a cold, ironically; I can't figure the first derivative of 1/x"
  /. : "You Fing idiot you can't even spell catching, don't know what irony is, and if you could spell google correctly instead of spelling it as /., you'd see its -1/x^2"
  
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  "Science flies us to the moon. Religion flies us into buildings." - Victor Stenger
2. Re:Finally explains it by war4peace · 2012-10-31 08:47 · Score: 4, Funny
  
  With such mad parents, they would probably have the baby wear thongs and make-up if born a girl.
  
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  ...gis sdrawkcab (usually not responding to ACs; don't bother posting as AC)
Observed this many times in women... by Anonymous Coward · 2012-10-31 07:20 · Score: 5, Funny

Just swap empathetic with emotional (Yeah different, but related definitions.) and all I have to do is look/listen to my spouse in the morning to see what wife I will spend the day with.
If she is overly emotional, no amount of logic or analysis with help with anything. It's gonna be a rough day for me.
If she is overly analytical of what I do or say, there is nothing I can do or say, even gifts of chocolate, will not sway her from her incorrect analysis of my mistakes.
Women, you can;t live with 'em.
(Posting as AC becuace my spouse reads slashdot and this post will cause her to fly off the handle.)
1. Re:Observed this many times in women... by Ironhandx · 2012-10-31 07:23 · Score: 5, Funny
  
  Slashdot husbands of even semi-suspicious wives around the world have to hide now thanks to this one AC.
  Well done sir.
  (Posting to hopefully clear my own name)
2. Re:Observed this many times in women... by vlm · 2012-10-31 07:35 · Score: 5, Funny
  
  (Posting to hopefully clear my own name)
  Yeah that's exactly the kind of post I'd write to clear my own name if I was the OP. Unless she knows that I know that she knows... I believe this is a recursive trap we've entered here.
  
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  "Science flies us to the moon. Religion flies us into buildings." - Victor Stenger
3. Re:Observed this many times in women... by elfprince13 · 2012-10-31 07:38 · Score: 4, Funny
  
  Truly, you have a dizzying intellect.
4. Re:Observed this many times in women... by Anonymous Coward · 2012-10-31 07:45 · Score: 3, Funny
  
  Just swap empathetic with emotional (Yeah different, but related definitions.) and all I have to do is look/listen to my spouse in the morning to see what wife I will spend the day with. If she is overly emotional, no amount of logic or analysis with help with anything. It's gonna be a rough day for me. If she is overly analytical of what I do or say, there is nothing I can do or say, even gifts of chocolate, will not sway her from her incorrect analysis of my mistakes.
  Women, you can;t live with 'em.
  (Posting as AC becuace my spouse reads slashdot and this post will cause her to fly off the handle.)
  I know it's you: we will discuss this VERY carefully later today. Now, take the trash out.
Sooooo..... by robinsonne · 2012-10-31 07:21 · Score: 4, Funny

So people that work in IT gain less and less empathy for their users? Hmmmm....
All you complainers by DarkOx · 2012-10-31 07:35 · Score: 5, Funny

See all of you kept crying about how all our C?O and Political leaders are psychopaths were wrong. You should be happy about that. They are better at thinking than you are and no doubt producing more optimal solutions than you could.
Thank goodness we have these unfeeling psychopaths to lead us.

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Re:the Democrat party by ColdWetDog · 2012-10-31 07:43 · Score: 4, Funny

Then how do you explain Rethuglicans?
Fetal Alcohol Syndrome.

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Must be a third factor.... by Kazoo+the+Clown · 2012-10-31 08:48 · Score: 4, Funny

The existance of conservative Republicans proves there must be an additional factor, something that suppresses BOTH empathy and analytics...
Re:Not a Paradox by HyperQuantum · 2012-10-31 12:10 · Score: 3, Funny

But then again, him reproducing may not be what's best for everyone.

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