Defining Attributes A defining attribute is a term or a phrase that is seen time and again in regards to the concept. Defining attributes for empathy:
1. Being able to see the world as others see it- the empathizer has to “step into the shoes” of the person who is requiring the empathy.
2. Non-judgmental- the person who is requiring empathy is opening up to the empathizer and does not want to be thought of differently because of what they are opening up about.
3. Communication- the person who is opening up wants to hear back from the empathizer that they understand what is being told to them.
4. Understanding- the empathizer should be open and willing to accept what the person says to them
Model Case
Diane is a 70-year-old woman who recently …show more content…
He was my rock when I had lung cancer a few years back. He took me to all my treatments. I can’t believe it is coming back again.
A: Can’t believe it?
D: I don’t know how I am going to cope with this without him.
A: I can understand that there has been a lot going on in your life lately and this is just causing more to cope with. (sits down on the bed and holds Diane’s arm). Are any of your children around that could come support you like your husband did?
D: Yes! My daughter just moved home to help me after Ron died. I completely forgot that she moved back. Thank you for being here for me, Ashley. I just needed to vent and think things through.
Borderline Case Mrs. P had a right below the knee amputation done yesterday. Today is the first day the dressing will be done by the nurse. Mrs. P: Can we not do this today? N: Are you worried about seeing it for the first time? Mrs. P: No.. I’m just afraid… (sobbing)
N: Well there is no need to be afraid. I will be right here with you. I will go get you some tissues.
The nurse is listening to the patient but does not see that the patient is depressed and afraid to look at what has happened to her. The nurse begins to sympathize and shows some respect by offering to get the patient …show more content…
The person that is giving the empathy (the empathee) needs to be able to talk to the person giving the empathy (the empathizer) openly about what is going on. The act of listening is also an antecedent for empathy. People need to be able to hear what the other person is saying. The empathee needs to be able to express himself or herself to the person giving the empathizer. Some of these antecedents are written about in White, 1996 and Wiseman, 1995 own concept analysis on empathy.
Consequences
Walker and Avant (2010) define consequences as “those events or incidents that occur as a result of the occurrence of the concept.” Consequences are normally thought to be negative. In the case of the concept of empathy, consequences are seen as positive. One consequence of empathy is the empathee feels relief. The empathee feels understood by the person they expressed their concern to. Another consequence of empathy is that the empathizer is closer to the empathee. The empathizer is then able to fully understand the person.
Empirical Referents Walker and Avant (2010) define empirical referents as “classes or categories of actual phenomena that by their existence or presence demonstrate the occurrence of the concept itself.” Empirical referents of empathy
1. Being able to see the world as others see it- the empathizer has to “step into the shoes” of the person who is requiring the empathy.
2. Non-judgmental- the person who is requiring empathy is opening up to the empathizer and does not want to be thought of differently because of what they are opening up about.
3. Communication- the person who is opening up wants to hear back from the empathizer that they understand what is being told to them.
4. Understanding- the empathizer should be open and willing to accept what the person says to them
Model Case
Diane is a 70-year-old woman who recently …show more content…
He was my rock when I had lung cancer a few years back. He took me to all my treatments. I can’t believe it is coming back again.
A: Can’t believe it?
D: I don’t know how I am going to cope with this without him.
A: I can understand that there has been a lot going on in your life lately and this is just causing more to cope with. (sits down on the bed and holds Diane’s arm). Are any of your children around that could come support you like your husband did?
D: Yes! My daughter just moved home to help me after Ron died. I completely forgot that she moved back. Thank you for being here for me, Ashley. I just needed to vent and think things through.
Borderline Case Mrs. P had a right below the knee amputation done yesterday. Today is the first day the dressing will be done by the nurse. Mrs. P: Can we not do this today? N: Are you worried about seeing it for the first time? Mrs. P: No.. I’m just afraid… (sobbing)
N: Well there is no need to be afraid. I will be right here with you. I will go get you some tissues.
The nurse is listening to the patient but does not see that the patient is depressed and afraid to look at what has happened to her. The nurse begins to sympathize and shows some respect by offering to get the patient …show more content…
The person that is giving the empathy (the empathee) needs to be able to talk to the person giving the empathy (the empathizer) openly about what is going on. The act of listening is also an antecedent for empathy. People need to be able to hear what the other person is saying. The empathee needs to be able to express himself or herself to the person giving the empathizer. Some of these antecedents are written about in White, 1996 and Wiseman, 1995 own concept analysis on empathy.
Consequences
Walker and Avant (2010) define consequences as “those events or incidents that occur as a result of the occurrence of the concept.” Consequences are normally thought to be negative. In the case of the concept of empathy, consequences are seen as positive. One consequence of empathy is the empathee feels relief. The empathee feels understood by the person they expressed their concern to. Another consequence of empathy is that the empathizer is closer to the empathee. The empathizer is then able to fully understand the person.
Empirical Referents Walker and Avant (2010) define empirical referents as “classes or categories of actual phenomena that by their existence or presence demonstrate the occurrence of the concept itself.” Empirical referents of empathy