Can we train empathy? MSU Researcher explores the science behind bridging social divides

Empathy is often seen as the foundation of social connection, but understanding how it works remains a challenge.

In an era of deepening ideological division, Kathryn Irish, a doctoral researcher at Michigan State University’s School of Social Work, is exploring the neural basis of empathy and its role in bridging political and social differences.

Empathy is central to all helping professions, especially social work, and ideas about empathy are reflected in powerful social and civic institutions, according to researchers. Yet even though empathy is amongst the most highly researched subjects in all human history, there are few examples of findings being translated in ways that address real problems or improve quality of life, Irish explained.

“The biggest misconception is that [empathy] can't do anything, that it's powerless,” said Irish. Since its inception, empathy has been inexorably linked to morality, ethics, and virtue, she continued.

"The presence, or absence, of empathy in one’s personality or behavior has become misnomer for one’s individual morality—an inference of one’s social value,” said Irish.

Ideas about empathy can also grant power, often granting moral or material authority to figures like politicians or religious leaders. It can also strip power, often used to justify carceral systems by falsely claiming people who commit crimes ‘lack empathy’, which is inaccurate, according to Irish.

At the heart of Irish’s research is a technique called transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS). TMS is a non-invasive way to stimulate specific areas of the brain that aids in understanding how different regions contribute to our thoughts, behaviors, and emotions. Irish and her team focus on a region called the dorsolateral prefrontal cortex (DLPFC)—a key part of the brain involved in decision-making, emotion regulation, and social reasoning, according to researchers.

According to Irish, depressive symptoms are associated with decreased activity in the left DLPFC (hypoactive left DLPFC) and over-activity of the right DLPFC (hyperactive right DLPFC). Applying low-frequency TMS to the right DLPFC can temporarily inhibit its activity, restoring balance to the entire DLPFC network.

Further, “improved cognitive functions facilitated by low-frequency TMS to right side DLPFC include improved ‘Theory of Mind (ToM)/cognitive empathy—specifically, the ability to infer the mental status of another,” Irish explained. This infers that subjects who have their right DLPFC suppressed can enhance their executive functioning and improve cognitive empathy.

“We predict that enhanced executive functioning will increase a persons’ cognitive and affective and resonance with the simulated character which will increase the person’s willingness to help a stranger,” said Irish.

Although still in the early stages, Irish’s research could contribute to interventions that foster empathy, reduce polarization, and improve diplomacy. If successful, this research could inform new approaches to conflict resolution, education, and even clinical interventions for individuals struggling with empathy disorders.

At a time when ideological polarization is at an all-time high, these insights could be a crucial step toward bridging societal gaps.