Effect of Technology on Empathy Research Paper

đź“ŚCategory: Communication, Emotion, Entertainment, Interpersonal relationship, Life, Science, Social Media, Sociology, Technology
đź“ŚWords: 1113
đź“ŚPages: 5
đź“ŚPublished: 08 May 2021

Is empathy becoming less prominent today? Is this due to technology or social media? Is it affecting education? Empathy is an important aspect of humanity that may be diminishing, and emerging technologies and social media may be the cause of this. Empathy is a necessary skill when it comes to conversation and the importance of community. Social media and emerging technologies may increasingly affect our ability to understand empathy as they have affected the social-psychological setting.

Technology is making it harder for people to be empathetic and people are becoming increasingly distracted with devices like cell phones. Sherry Turkle, a professor at Massachusetts School of Technology and a psychologist argues, “Computers offer the illusion of companionship without the demands of friendship” (381). Maria Konnikova, a writer, and psychologist also argues, “On the internet, you can pull the plug and walk away” (259). Some individuals believe that technology helps people to connect more conveniently. However, this is not the case because most are the instances when true feelings are not expressed explicitly. Some people on the internet say whatever is on their mind whether it is good or bad. This is a positive effect as individuals are presented with a setting that some feel is safe for them to self-express, Turkle calls it an illusion of companionship.

Technology can also cause problems to an individuals’ ability to pay attention not only to others, but themselves too. With mobile computers at the fingertips of people, one becomes distracted by things they read on the internet thus not able to understand their feelings. People have a fear of missing out some may even stay up late at night looking at their phones and not being able to keep track of the time. As a result, this may damage their sleep schedules and potentially affect their motor functions; this is crucial aspect of an individual’s social-psychological setting.  When individuals are alone with their phones, they are not paying attention to themselves neither to a given person since the social media presents many people with different feelings and this does not offer understanding of empathy given the many divergent views. Individuals feel naked without their phones, and during uncomfortable situations they will try to reach their phones and retreat to their mobile shelter. Turkle states, “People are uncomfortable with their thoughts when left alone for several minutes” (383). With this perception, individuals seek empathy from others by way of communication through a media that they are comfortable with. 

When we decide to take our phones away, humans can truly learn to connect to each other. At summer camps that ban phones, children can better understand each other and express stronger emotions (Turkle 383). During important business meetings some companies go around the table and grab everyone’s cell phones so there are not any distractions, and then once everyone is on the same page, they can have a productive meeting. Empathy allows individuals to feel understood and when people are empathetic toward others, they can get a better understanding of not only the other person, but also themselves.  If humanity learns to recognize that technology presents problems to their emotions, then there could possibly be a way to prevent this.

The ability to connect and converse with others leads to empathetic thinking. When responding to others from behind a smartphone or computer screen it is easy to hide emotions and it is not easy to understand another individuals’ physical responses to a situation. However, physical touch can help individuals better connect with each other. Robert Dunbar, an anthropologist, and psychologist came up with a discovery when studying the social bonding of primates through grooming (Konnikova 258). “With a light brush on the shoulder, a pat, or a squeeze of the arm or hand, we can communicate a deeper bond than through speaking alone” (Konnikova 258). Further studies involving human pain thresholds discovered that physical touch could allow humans to withstand pain for longer periods of time (258). Humans have chemicals in their brain which are called endorphins. These endorphins are feel-good chemicals that relieve stress and can trigger a state of euphoria. The endorphins that individuals get from touch allow humans to share a bond. As a result, this can be good for overall health and increase human’s longevity an essential psychological aspect in understanding empathy. 

Humans are social creatures that need conversation for emotional stability. A perfect example is Castaway starring Tom Hanks. The main character gets stranded on an island for four years and ends up to talking to a volleyball with a face drawn on it for emotional comfort. This is a good example because without the ability to express oneself through conversation, most humans would be an emotional train wreck. Turkle argues, “Without conversation we become less empathic, less creative, and less fulfilled” (385). Without empathy individuals are blank and there is no understanding of oneself or others. In most cases, face to face conversation allows individuals to build relationships with others. When humans converse, they show interest in each other. It also allows them to share their feelings and talk about what is on their mind. If humans decide to become self-aware and decide to open to their feelings then they will understand not only others, but themselves as well.

Empathy is also an important aspect of education. Nowadays most children lack empathetic thinking. During her teacher’s retreat, Turkle met with Ava Reade, dean of Holbrooke Middle School. After hearing a story about a student who excluded another and did not have feelings about it, she came up with the conclusion that students “are not emotionally developed” (380). Previous generations found it easier to connect than most children who grew up with technology devices. Yo-Yo Ma, a world-famous cellist, argues that empathetic thinking is missing in today’s education and believes that we need to bring arts into STEM programs to help the lack of empathy (279). According to Ma, Kids could become more passionate and excited to attend class if schools focus more on the arts. Some countries like Japan even require students to learn instruments. Vocals and musical instruments also help humanity understand empathy better. Ma argues that, all set skills in today’s world such as collaboration, flexibility, imagination, and innovation can be instilled through performing arts (279). This indicates that if the education system further develops their Arts programs that students will become more understanding of empathy

Technology has affected today’s social-psychological setting and as a result impacted how individuals understand empathy. Though there are some people who feel comfortable to talk over the internet without fear, they might not receive the necessary empathy as there are many people with divergent views leading them to distractions. During face-to-face conversation mobile phones and other computer technologies should be kept aside because they affect communication. These technologies affect social psychological setting, and in return affecting understanding of empathy. Face-to-face conversation has proved to improve on empathy as it leads to creation of a strong bond between those conversing. Therefore, social media and modern technologies have a negative effect on individuals’ understanding of empathy. 

Works Cited

Barrios, Barclay, Editor. Emerging. Bedford/St. Martin's, 2019.

Konnikova, Maria. “The Limits of Friendship.” Barrios, pp. 255-259.

Ma, Yo-Yo. “Necessary Edges: Arts, Empathy, and Education.” Barrios, pp. 278-282.

Turkle, Sherry. “The Empathy Diaries.” Barrios, pp. 378-387.

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