Effect of Technology on Empathy Research Paper - 1925 Words

Effect of Technology on Empathy (Research Paper Sample) Content: IMPACT OF TECHNOLOGY ON EMPATHYStudentà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬s nameInstitutional affiliationImpact of Technology on EmpathyEmpathy creates an understanding of the people we live with, develop relationships, and demonstrate compassion in times of tragedy and calamity. It is fundamental to the establishment of a society and efforts to collectively foster survival. The information age has greatly led to the weakening of our ability to empathize. Empathy is the human response to the foreseen or perceived feelings and emotions of others. In the present day culture where focus has been so much more on the self over the society, empathy has come out as a weakness. Research has however found that empathy is essential to the maintenance and improvement of the human society. It is important to examine the extent to which communication technology has affected our ability to empathize with others and the possible reasons for this trend.Through empathy, people can develop and sustain helpful relationships. In institutions of learning, empathy allows socialization among students, development of friendships, creates an understanding of the social paradigm, and relate cohesively in peer groups. Through empathy in working environment, it becomes possible to engage in teamwork, negotiations, collaboration and expertise necessary for the job. The advent and growth of communication technology has made it necessary to rethink its effect on empathy for the working environment. The growth of empathy reduces the chances of people degenerating to behavior that is undesirable and hence makes the society safer and makes it possible to demonstrate compassion (Elliott et al 2011)Empathy can be used as the medium through which people express compassion, understand the pain and joy of others or even as a tool to deceive and manipulate others. Empathy comes in different forms, all of which are important human traits. It is however possible to be better in one kind of empathy but lack in o thers. Smith, a theorist placed a distinction between cognitive empathy and emotional empathy in the year 1759. Since then subsequent researches has placed similar distinction examining the two types of empathy as two different functions. The categories differentiated the unplanned, unemotional reactions like the pain of seeing a stranger wound themselves, from the emotional reaction like crying at the loss of a loved one.The research hypothesis by Konrath, Hsingà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬s and Oà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Brian suggests that increase in self-centeredness has contributed to the diminished willingness and incapacity to empathize. Study indicates that narcissism and empathy are adversaries. Increased personality disorder has led to the decline in the empathetic abilities in both adults and children over the past 30 years. Of the people tested, less than 25% thought of themselves as empathetic today as they were thirty years ago. Over the past decade there has been a steady decline as indicated in Kon rathà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬s graph below. Most of the people born between 1977 and 1994 indicated that they place great importance in service to the community but they would rather play games, watch television or engage in fun activities. Parents have a great role in molding children to be empathetic in their future lives.Konrathà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬s graphKonrath, in his study, also proposes that with more Americans Living a lonely life than the previous decades there has been more focus on self. This has been propagated by the technological shift to social media, self-focus and isolation. This has diminished the current generationsà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬ potential to empathize. The video by Cohen which is based on the book à ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã‹Å"Alone Togetherà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬ by Sherry Turkle (Turkle 2012) and the article à ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã‹Å"The Invention of Being Lonelyà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬ by Dr. Yair Amichai agrees with the hypothesis of Konrath. Cohen asserts that social media has contributed to self-admiration but even more led to the c omplex problem of self-obsession and isolation. Social media has the effect of compiled pressure on the user to revise and rectify self-image to perfection. This robs people the ability to foster real, unrehearsed relationships.Communication through social media involves faceless conversations like pictures, posts and text messages. These medium has made the youth of today diminished in terms of their ability to engage in real time dialogue and ability to understand facial expression, body language and the way of thinking of other people. The inability to champion physical relationship makes the youths even more isolated. Social media has increasingly become a tool that encourages the behavior of isolation with many forms of attention seeking attributes that are temporary in nature, and shallow in content. Technology has therefore perpetuated isolation and obsession to self hence an increase trend towards a cycle of self-perpetuation.The inability by the subjects of communication te chnology to take in other peoples perspective coupled by the limited scope of technology and social media, restrains the communication scope. The problem is wide spread. The anonymity of the youth on social media like twitter and Facebook has promoted impunity and reckless words leaves the social media users unsure of the impact of their words on others. Many, when asked, think that their perversive behavior is funny or just a joke or never gave enough thought to the impact their words may have on the subjects. This form of communication has incredibly affected userà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬s ability to empathize therefore blinding them from realizing that their words have a far reaching effect on other people.The concern scale below examines the respondentsà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬ level of empathy. Empathetic concern studies the level of concern or compassion expressed for the physical person perceived. The test explores the participants ability to identify with specified statements like à ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã‹Å"when a good friend is treated badly, I at times donà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬t really pity themà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬ and "when a friend informs me of their successes, I am genuinely impressed." Konrathà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬s study indicates that self-absorption and isolation has indeed taken charge over empathy (Konrathà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬s graph 2 below). Technology has however had its fair share of role in the diminishing of empathic concern (Konrath, Oà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Brien Hsing 2011)The internet has far reaching effects on the empathic concern. The fact is that the youth of today can broadcast their words to a large audience without considering the facial expression, body language or reaction of the target. This can be likened to the combat pilots who kill hundreds of people. Research indicates that the distance of the pilot from the culprit facilitates diminished empathic concern to a level where they cannot see, understand or even care about the extent of the damage caused by their action. The media has similar effects when viol ence and aggression is celebrated without particular attention to the pain inflicted on others. A good example is the game "Grand Theft Franchise." In the game the players are rewarded for committing violent acts. The impersonation in such games makes humiliation, pain, anguish and murder a source of entertainment and satisfaction.Technology is definitely not the sole perpetrator of empathy but in many ways, it seems to be at the heart of the entire situation decentralizing to narcissism, isolation and the deterioration of empathy. Konrath, in his research, submitted that technology has made Americans experience an overload of information, increased burden for speed and efficiency, and a persistent self-absorption problem driven by social media. The research also found out that among the students involved in the survey they would opt to play games, indulge in social media, and watch television, among other activities as opposed to engaging in compassionate, charitable or selfless in itiatives.Heirman cyberbullying research shows that peopleà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬s ability to communicate without revealing identity, without interpersonal connection, and maintaining distance from victim has condoned destruction of empathy. From Cohenà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬s video, there is a clear illusion in the minds of social media users indicating the presence of many friends, widespread attention, and freedom from a lonely life. The effect created by this illusion robs the youth a chance to seek alternative solutions to problems facing them owing to the obsession they have with technology (Cohan 2013)The social media and the internet has provided an obsession to entertainment, an alternative but falsified replacement for companionship and a twisted feeling of socialization. Is the solution desisting from technology? definitely not. Anonymity on social media has some pertinent advantages. A good example is the ability of a person suffering from anxiety issues to freely make friends on social media, e xpress themselves, and socialize without having to go through rejection or any form of humiliation. Distant from violence and bullying, social media and the internet helps in reaching large audiences, organize and broadcast information. Prohibiting technology would otherwise mean that students are not... Effect of Technology on Empathy Research Paper - 1925 Words Effect of Technology on Empathy (Research Paper Sample) Content: IMPACT OF TECHNOLOGY ON EMPATHYStudentà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬s nameInstitutional affiliationImpact of Technology on EmpathyEmpathy creates an understanding of the people we live with, develop relationships, and demonstrate compassion in times of tragedy and calamity. It is fundamental to the establishment of a society and efforts to collectively foster survival. The information age has greatly led to the weakening of our ability to empathize. Empathy is the human response to the foreseen or perceived feelings and emotions of others. In the present day culture where focus has been so much more on the self over the society, empathy has come out as a weakness. Research has however found that empathy is essential to the maintenance and improvement of the human society. It is important to examine the extent to which communication technology has affected our ability to empathize with others and the possible reasons for this trend.Through empathy, people can develop and sustain helpful relationships. In institutions of learning, empathy allows socialization among students, development of friendships, creates an understanding of the social paradigm, and relate cohesively in peer groups. Through empathy in working environment, it becomes possible to engage in teamwork, negotiations, collaboration and expertise necessary for the job. The advent and growth of communication technology has made it necessary to rethink its effect on empathy for the working environment. The growth of empathy reduces the chances of people degenerating to behavior that is undesirable and hence makes the society safer and makes it possible to demonstrate compassion (Elliott et al 2011)Empathy can be used as the medium through which people express compassion, understand the pain and joy of others or even as a tool to deceive and manipulate others. Empathy comes in different forms, all of which are important human traits. It is however possible to be better in one kind of empathy but lack in o thers. Smith, a theorist placed a distinction between cognitive empathy and emotional empathy in the year 1759. Since then subsequent researches has placed similar distinction examining the two types of empathy as two different functions. The categories differentiated the unplanned, unemotional reactions like the pain of seeing a stranger wound themselves, from the emotional reaction like crying at the loss of a loved one.The research hypothesis by Konrath, Hsingà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬s and Oà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Brian suggests that increase in self-centeredness has contributed to the diminished willingness and incapacity to empathize. Study indicates that narcissism and empathy are adversaries. Increased personality disorder has led to the decline in the empathetic abilities in both adults and children over the past 30 years. Of the people tested, less than 25% thought of themselves as empathetic today as they were thirty years ago. Over the past decade there has been a steady decline as indicated in Kon rathà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬s graph below. Most of the people born between 1977 and 1994 indicated that they place great importance in service to the community but they would rather play games, watch television or engage in fun activities. Parents have a great role in molding children to be empathetic in their future lives.Konrathà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬s graphKonrath, in his study, also proposes that with more Americans Living a lonely life than the previous decades there has been more focus on self. This has been propagated by the technological shift to social media, self-focus and isolation. This has diminished the current generationsà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬ potential to empathize. The video by Cohen which is based on the book à ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã‹Å"Alone Togetherà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬ by Sherry Turkle (Turkle 2012) and the article à ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã‹Å"The Invention of Being Lonelyà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬ by Dr. Yair Amichai agrees with the hypothesis of Konrath. Cohen asserts that social media has contributed to self-admiration but even more led to the c omplex problem of self-obsession and isolation. Social media has the effect of compiled pressure on the user to revise and rectify self-image to perfection. This robs people the ability to foster real, unrehearsed relationships.Communication through social media involves faceless conversations like pictures, posts and text messages. These medium has made the youth of today diminished in terms of their ability to engage in real time dialogue and ability to understand facial expression, body language and the way of thinking of other people. The inability to champion physical relationship makes the youths even more isolated. Social media has increasingly become a tool that encourages the behavior of isolation with many forms of attention seeking attributes that are temporary in nature, and shallow in content. Technology has therefore perpetuated isolation and obsession to self hence an increase trend towards a cycle of self-perpetuation.The inability by the subjects of communication te chnology to take in other peoples perspective coupled by the limited scope of technology and social media, restrains the communication scope. The problem is wide spread. The anonymity of the youth on social media like twitter and Facebook has promoted impunity and reckless words leaves the social media users unsure of the impact of their words on others. Many, when asked, think that their perversive behavior is funny or just a joke or never gave enough thought to the impact their words may have on the subjects. This form of communication has incredibly affected userà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬s ability to empathize therefore blinding them from realizing that their words have a far reaching effect on other people.The concern scale below examines the respondentsà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬ level of empathy. Empathetic concern studies the level of concern or compassion expressed for the physical person perceived. The test explores the participants ability to identify with specified statements like à ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã‹Å"when a good friend is treated badly, I at times donà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬t really pity themà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬ and "when a friend informs me of their successes, I am genuinely impressed." Konrathà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬s study indicates that self-absorption and isolation has indeed taken charge over empathy (Konrathà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬s graph 2 below). Technology has however had its fair share of role in the diminishing of empathic concern (Konrath, Oà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Brien Hsing 2011)The internet has far reaching effects on the empathic concern. The fact is that the youth of today can broadcast their words to a large audience without considering the facial expression, body language or reaction of the target. This can be likened to the combat pilots who kill hundreds of people. Research indicates that the distance of the pilot from the culprit facilitates diminished empathic concern to a level where they cannot see, understand or even care about the extent of the damage caused by their action. The media has similar effects when viol ence and aggression is celebrated without particular attention to the pain inflicted on others. A good example is the game "Grand Theft Franchise." In the game the players are rewarded for committing violent acts. The impersonation in such games makes humiliation, pain, anguish and murder a source of entertainment and satisfaction.Technology is definitely not the sole perpetrator of empathy but in many ways, it seems to be at the heart of the entire situation decentralizing to narcissism, isolation and the deterioration of empathy. Konrath, in his research, submitted that technology has made Americans experience an overload of information, increased burden for speed and efficiency, and a persistent self-absorption problem driven by social media. The research also found out that among the students involved in the survey they would opt to play games, indulge in social media, and watch television, among other activities as opposed to engaging in compassionate, charitable or selfless in itiatives.Heirman cyberbullying research shows that peopleà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬s ability to communicate without revealing identity, without interpersonal connection, and maintaining distance from victim has condoned destruction of empathy. From Cohenà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬s video, there is a clear illusion in the minds of social media users indicating the presence of many friends, widespread attention, and freedom from a lonely life. The effect created by this illusion robs the youth a chance to seek alternative solutions to problems facing them owing to the obsession they have with technology (Cohan 2013)The social media and the internet has provided an obsession to entertainment, an alternative but falsified replacement for companionship and a twisted feeling of socialization. Is the solution desisting from technology? definitely not. Anonymity on social media has some pertinent advantages. A good example is the ability of a person suffering from anxiety issues to freely make friends on social media, e xpress themselves, and socialize without having to go through rejection or any form of humiliation. Distant from violence and bullying, social media and the internet helps in reaching large audiences, organize and broadcast information. Prohibiting technology would otherwise mean that students are not...

The Huckleberry Finn Ban in Schools and Libraries - Free Essay Example

Huckleberry Finn was written in a time where slavery has already been abolished. The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn was published in 1885, after the abolition of slavery, but the novel took place in the 30s and 40s. Therefore Mark Twain didnt write how books are written today he wrote the book on how it was in his time era and he had every detail in the book. Librarians and historians havent agreed on what has happened in the book and how certain things played out. The book is a story about a boy named Huckleberry Finn. He lives with The Widow and Miss. Watson and they are trying to civilize him. He has an awful father who wants to make him quit school and kidnaps him and beats him so he decides to run away. When Huck decided to run away, he got in his canoe that he had found, and set off. He eventually came to a place called Jackson Island, where he found Jim. Jim was Miss. Watsons slave who had ran away to be free and to escape his good chances of being sold, but while he was gone his friend a runaway slave named Jim. He has to hide from people looking for him to take him back to Miss Watson so she can sell him. The friendship of Jim and Huck grew tremendously throughout the book. The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn has been banned in schools and libraries because the use of racial slurs, the way Jim was treated, and how the children wil l start acting once they read it. The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn has been banned in schools and libraries. Some people also burned the books and have rioted about the book being in schools. The novel has had so many different thoughts towards it but these schools and libraries had a whole different thought. The book has some racist and violent language that some teachers and parents dont want their children and students reading. Jonathan Arac has also made the comment that if Huck was a different race, then the book would be allowed in more schools. According to Justin Kaplan, he states, to my understanding is that nigger is a taboo word when used by a white person, but it is an OK word used in a black framework If you can claim that this is a black voice speaking, I believe the objection to the word nigger is somewhat diffused. What Kaplan is saying is that if Huck were African American, and using the language that he uses in the book towards Jim, then the word wouldnt have made people mad or upset but the fact that huck is white and is saying it. People and parents thought that it was very racist. Kaplan was talking about the book in the article how Huck was white and the people saying the word were also white. According to Shelley Fishkins she states, If Huck has any African American linguistic authority, his use of the word Nigger is a rallying point for movement to ban The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn from our high schools. She is meaning that if Huck was African American or related to one, the big problem about the book would be resolved and the book would be allowed in schools because the use on the N word wouldnt be hurting anyone in the book. White people have been taking advantage over African Americans cultures for centuries. The United States have had so many equality problems and that is when name calling arises. From a book called Satire and Evasion, they said that most of the people who have had a problem with this book are either African American teachers or parents. These parents and teachers are supported by white teachers and parents. According to James Leonard, parents have trekked in school saying this book is not go for our children. Parents that have read the book in highschool know what the book is about and if the school is having them reading the book, the parents would be mad about what kind of language is in the book. Leonard also mentioned, some black authors have used the word Nigger but not in literature consumed by children The word Nigger being in these books are not good for children to read because then they think that it is okay to say those things in class and the worst part is that they could racist to one another no matter the race. Another problem would be if the teacher was reading the book aloud and the African American children would sit there and be upset even though he/she still has a right to say it, the black student would neglect the teacher because of what they said. According to Jonathan Yardleys research,The black c hild is offended by the use or the word Nigger anywhere no matter what rationale the teacher may use to justify it. This makes communication between the teacher and the student more complicated. The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn book has been banned from schools for the racism in the book and the language that children should not be reading. The Adventures Huckleberry Finn has caused a huge debate of whether or not it should be read or allowed in schools. One of the big problems was he way Jim was treated by everyone in the book. Jim was Miss Watsons slave in the book. She treated him bad and was going to sell him so he ran away and Huck found him and decided to protect him. Jim was also very superstitious in the book. According to Bernard Bell he states, many modern day black readers are less offended by vulgarity and delinquency of Huck, thank by the minstrel image of Miss Watsons runaway slave, Jim, his companion through crime. Why would black readers be offended by what Huck is doing? When really they all care about how Jim was treated. The article states, that the word Nigger was used more than 150 times throughout the whole book. The book has been banned all around the country from San Jose, California to New Haven, Connecticut because of how Jim is portrayed in the book. Wallacestates, The NAACP in New York in 195 7 sought to have to book banned in New York public schools because of the excessive use of the word Nigger. During most of the book Jim was referred to as the nigger while Huck and Jim got closer over the course of the book Huck called him Jim for the rest of the book. Throughout the novel, Jim was treated well by Huck, and their friendship grew as the book progressed. The king and the Duke treated Jim well at the beginning, but as the book went on, Jim was treated more poorly by these two cons. At the end of the book he was betrayed and sold to aunt Sally and taken into custody and was treated badly. They stopped when Tom told his aunt Sally was a free slave because Miss Watson died and in her will she declared him free. There is still a great controversy about what people should know about the book before reading it. People also talk about when Jim yelled at his daughter and hit her, but she was really deaf. He had never forgiven himself for doing that and not understanding or rea lizing that his daughter was deaf and couldnt hear him. There is also a warning that says the kind of language in the book. People dont usually think about that part though. Jim was the nicest person to Huck out of the whole book besides the widow. Jim wasnt treated awful in the book but he was treated badly by everyone except Huck. Therefore the book has been banned in schools in New York because of the racial controversy over the slave, Jim. Even though Jim was the nicest to everyone they were always mean to him. The book has been banned in schools and libraries because of the way Jim was treated throughout the book. Mark Twains book, The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn, has caused problems throughout the United States. The main reason parents and teachers are upset is because of the way it can affect the way their kids act. In the book Satire and Evasion, it talks about the book being in school and the kids reading the racial comments. When they read the comments the they start to treat one another badly. It also talks about having black students in class. The teacher reads the book and says all of the comments in the book and the kids will look at that teacher in a different way then they did before. Saying this, these kids will start disrespecting their teachers a lot more but all the teacher did was just do her job. That is why the NAACP has been working so hard to ban all of the books out of schools and libraries in New York City. According to Satire and Evasion, it states that, The book isnt good for our children.. And racist and unwittingly teachers would call this book a classic Parents are talking about the teachers who think that its okay to read this book to children. Parents have also made the comment that if their children read this book will they think of each other differently and think about being raised wrong because of the heritage in the book. Parents dont want their children coming home to asking them questions about why those people did what they did. James Leonard states, When teachers read this outloud to black students, they feel insulted or embarrassed and have low self esteems. This can also lead to harassment between kids to act like Tom Sawyer did. The Adventure of Huckleberry Finn can lead to tension between students and fights between students. James Leonard also states The last word uttered before every fight is Nigger. That is why this book causes tension between students because one of the reasons is using this word. By reading this book, there could be so much emotion in classrooms. Each African American student wants to talk, read, write, and look like a white person so they dont have to go through all of the trouble to fit in. Teachers must discourage the ridicule of different children states Leonard. According to Russell Baker, some kids are exposed to to these kinds of book too early. Baker also says that, few kids in highschool are ready to read this book. That is why the NAACP is wanting to ban these books becau se highschool students arent even ready to read the book. Schools have different kids with different personalities and reading the book Huckleberry Finn will change how these kids act to their classmates, teachers,and parents. If there are black student in the classroom it does not protect them with the equal and civil rights they are supposed to have. states Dorothy Gillam. Teachers have a big roll in reading this book too. They have to make sure each and every student understands what is going on in this book historically. Schools that dont ban the book, the teachers will have to step up their teaching to these students so they can understand the book and know why things are being said. Gillam said, why some books are in schools still because of the teachers good attitudes when reading the book and explaining to the children. The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn is still known as one of Americas great novels While it is disliked by many, the novel has also been encouraged by others. In the conclusion of all of this, the book has been banned in schools and libraries because the use of racial slurs, the way Jim was treated, and how the children will start acting once they read it. The people who are banning these books are just trying to protect children in the end. The book has been banned for about 100 years in some schools because of the language in the book. The book is too racist and foul for young kids to be reading even high schooler says Concord Public Schools. That is why the NAACP has still been working hard to fight against this case still of banning all of the books in all of the schools in the United States. Jim was also treated in the worst way and the way he was treated students could start treating one another like that, they could even want to start treating their siblings like the people in the book treated Jim. The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn has made a huge impact over the whole nation, schools, and libraries.