Compassion and empathy

Self-knowledge and personal growth Relationships, work and leisure Values and ethical living

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Photo of a young girl in a classroom holding a book with a calendar page, wearing a floral dress and hair accessories.

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How do we start learning to ‘read’ other people’s minds?

Studies of young children give us insight into the building blocks of an ability that most of us use every day

by Josephine Ross & Martin Doherty

A vintage voltmeter displaying a scale in volts and ampères with a brass base and needle indicator.

Ethics

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What a real-life ‘trolley problem’ reveals about morality

We used an electric-shock dilemma to test the strength of people’s moral principles when faced with real-world complexities

by Dries Bostyn

Photo of two smiling people in waterproof jackets on a rainy beach, grey skies in the background.

Compassion and empathy

guide

How to make someone feel seen and heard

Validation skills are not only useful for therapists. Learn them and you’ll improve your personal and work relationships

by Caroline Fleck

Close-up of hands holding clear frogspawn with visible black eggs in a natural outdoor setting.

Creativity

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A filmmaker’s never-realised ideas become an exploration of self-doubt

Directed by Cameron Nicoll

Photo of a woman playing with a smiling baby in a pram outside. The woman wears glasses and has her hair tied back.

Emotions

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Cuteness has a powerful pull, and it’s written all over your face

Our typical responses to cute things might seem cheery and unserious, but they signal something vital about us

by Makenzie O’Neil

Photo of a person in protective gear disinfecting an empty cinema with an animated film playing on the screen.

Progress and the future

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The empathy gap that is imperilling future generations

To protect our descendants from catastrophe, we must overcome the emotional hurdles that make it easy for us to look away

by Matthew Coleman

Photo of people viewing tall abstract sculptures in a dimly lit gallery with silhouetted artwork on the walls.

Compassion and empathy

guide

How to see the humanity in anyone

Practising a form of ‘deep curiosity’ can help you connect with yourself and others, even if they’re on the ‘other side’

by Scott Shigeoka

Illustration of a person in a purple shirt sitting at a table with a yellow mug, receiving a supportive hand on theirs.

Compassion and empathy

film

How one man saved 160 lives with an extended hand and a warm cup of tea

Directed by Alec Green and Finbar Watson

Photo of two people sitting on a park bench, one with their arm around the other, surrounded by grass and fallen petals.

Communication and language

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Why that hard conversation will probably go better than you think

If you’ve delayed raising a touchy issue, fearing it will backfire, new research could give you the confidence you need

by Matt Huston

Painting of a white egret on a branch with a gold leaf background and sparse branches extending across the scene.

Difficult emotions

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What to do when you’re feeling upset about being disliked

It’s an unavoidable part of life. Here are some tried and tested ways to get more comfortable with someone not liking you

by Ahona Guha

Photo of a person hugging two children in an outdoor area with a brick wall background and foliage on the left.

Caregiving

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How to get the most out of caregiving

Giving care is hard, but it’s one of the most meaningful things you can do. Here’s how to change up your perspective

by Elissa Strauss