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Published Aug 1, 2019

232: Daniel Goleman | A Logical Look at Emotional Intelligence

Jordan Harbinger and psychologist Daniel Goleman delve into the nuances of emotional intelligence, exploring its transformative power on personal and societal levels, the influence of technology on human interaction, the critical role of empathy in relationships, and the intricate mechanisms of trauma and PTSD.
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  • Types of Empathy

    Daniel Goleman explains the three types of empathy: cognitive, emotional, and empathic concern. Cognitive empathy involves understanding another person's perspective and mental models, which enhances communication. Emotional empathy allows one to feel what others are feeling, fostering rapport, while empathic concern is about genuinely caring for others, akin to a parent's love for a child 1.

    Empathic concern is based in the mammalian caretaking circuitry. It means that I not only know how you think and how you feel, but I actually care about you.

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    These types of empathy are crucial in various social interactions, from personal relationships to professional settings.

       

    Empathy in Therapy

    Empathy plays a vital role in therapy, enhancing the therapist-client relationship. Therapists like Dr. Drew Pinsky use empathy to tune into their clients' emotions and physiological states, even over the phone. This ability to pick up nonverbal cues and tone of voice helps therapists understand their clients better and provide more effective support 2.

    Empathy is attuning to the other person's emotions without them telling you in words what those emotions are.

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    Such empathetic attunement is essential for building trust and rapport in therapeutic settings.

       

    Empathic Relationships

    Empathy strengthens both personal and professional relationships by fostering deeper connections. People with conditions like Asperger's often have to learn emotional cues manually, which can be challenging but is a helpful workaround 3. Non-verbal attunement, or synchrony, is another key aspect of empathy, where people in rapport exhibit coordinated body language and mutual attention 4.

    Synchrony is a non-verbal attunement which is a sign of resonance or connection or simpatico, real chemistry.

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    This synchrony is especially evident in well-attuned relationships, such as between mothers and children, and can be cultivated through mindful attention and presence.

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