Empathy versus experience, and the use of violence among young people
Empathy versus experience, and the use of violence among young people

Summary/Abstract: Young people are at risk from acts of aggression both at school, in the family and from their peers. Frequently, the victims themselves begin to manifest it as a result ofexperiencing it from other people. Another determinant of the level of aggression is mass media or negative role models (e.g. the use of humiliating and compromising images and words). Empathy is a skill which enables one to recognize another person’s inner states and processes when coming into contact with the person. Thanks to it, one is able to share the emotions of the other person, which reduces the risk of aggressive behavior. Therefore, it is vital that activities aiming at the development of empathy and reduction of aggression be included into working with adolescents. Such activities may include sensitizing training, aggression substitution training, relaxation training or psychoeducational workshops. The aim of the study was to determine the level of emotional and cognitive empathy of aggressive victims as compared to young people experiencing or using aggression.

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