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Toward a neuroscience of interactive parent–infant dyad empathy

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  25 July 2013

James E. Swain ,
Sara Konrath ,
Carolyn J. Dayton ,
Eric D. Finegood  and
S. Shaun Ho
James E. Swain
Affiliation:
Department of Psychiatry, University of Michigan School of Medicine, Ann Arbor, MI 48109. jamesswa@med.umich.eduhttp://www2.med.umich.edu/psychiatry/psy/fac_query4.cfm?link_name=jamesswacarolynjdayton@gmail.comefinegoo@med.umich.eduhosh@med.umich.edu
Sara Konrath
Affiliation:
Department of Psychology, University of Michigan, Research Center for Group Dynamics, Institute for Social Research, Ann Arbor, MI 48106. skonrath@umich.edu
Carolyn J. Dayton
Affiliation:
Department of Psychiatry, University of Michigan School of Medicine, Ann Arbor, MI 48109. jamesswa@med.umich.eduhttp://www2.med.umich.edu/psychiatry/psy/fac_query4.cfm?link_name=jamesswacarolynjdayton@gmail.comefinegoo@med.umich.eduhosh@med.umich.edu
Eric D. Finegood
Affiliation:
Department of Psychiatry, University of Michigan School of Medicine, Ann Arbor, MI 48109. jamesswa@med.umich.eduhttp://www2.med.umich.edu/psychiatry/psy/fac_query4.cfm?link_name=jamesswacarolynjdayton@gmail.comefinegoo@med.umich.eduhosh@med.umich.edu
S. Shaun Ho
Affiliation:
Department of Psychiatry, University of Michigan School of Medicine, Ann Arbor, MI 48109. jamesswa@med.umich.eduhttp://www2.med.umich.edu/psychiatry/psy/fac_query4.cfm?link_name=jamesswacarolynjdayton@gmail.comefinegoo@med.umich.eduhosh@med.umich.edu
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Abstract

In accord with social neuroscience's progression to include interactive experimental paradigms, parents' brains have been activated by emotionally charged infant stimuli – especially of their own infant – including baby cry and picture. More recent research includes the use of brief video clips and opportunities for maternal response. Among brain systems important to parenting are those involved in empathy. This research may inform recent studies of decreased societal empathy, offer mechanisms and solutions.

Type
Open Peer Commentary
Information
Behavioral and Brain Sciences , Volume 36 , Issue 4 , August 2013 , pp. 438 - 439
Copyright
Copyright © Cambridge University Press 2013 

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