The social neuroscience of empathy

Many researchers have contributes to this book containing 16 chapters. It is a scholar book, but it is readable by people who are not familiar with neuroscience. I don't remember how I actually heard about the book, but I am very happy I did because it made me discover a new discipline: social neuroscience...the science of our social interactions. Empathy is a necessary skill for socializing.

As an example of the practical applications of the book, the first chapter describes eight types of empathy-yes, eight-and gave me a few aha moments. Other chapters are on: emotional contagion,imitation, sympathy and personnal distress, etc.

I am a very empathic person by nature (I think!) and I put that to the service of other people by practicing zootherapy with elderly people. Understanding the mechanisms of my own empathy is very helpful. Because I found this book, in 2 weeks, I will be presenting a poster at the Feederation of European Neuroscience Societies...the start for more research on human/animal relationships!