Greater Good

According to a new study, pregnant women lose gray matter in their brains—and this process helps them figure out what other people need and feel.

Four steps to a healthier, more helpful, and more sustainable form of empathy.

The story of a group of sixth graders learning to bridge political divides after the U.S. election.

A new study suggests more empathic police officers are less likely to become discouraged and demoralized.

Pediatrician Claudia Gold wants to help parents and professionals discover the true reasons behind each child’s behavior.

According to a new study, we overestimate how well we can read emotions in other people's faces.

Two new books suggest that we can improve communication and care in medicine with more mindfulness and presence.

A new study suggests that promoting empathy and cross-group friendships in children can buffer against the negative effects of parental and peer biases.


Do you see happiness as within your control to improve? A new study has linked this belief to empathy.

New research reveals how we learn to lie for the benefit of other people.

According to a new study, students perform better when teachers share in their joy.

A new study suggests preschoolers can "catch" prejudice from grown-ups through nonverbal behavior—and it hints at solutions.

At a time when “empathy” is more controversial than ever, a researcher explains what it is, what it isn’t, and when it fosters kindness and compassion.

Yes, says sociologist Robb Willer—but the effort needs to be respectful and mutual.

New research finds levels of empathy vary considerably from state to state — and living among empathic neighbors improves quality of life.

Psychologist Arthur Ciaramicoli argues that empathic listening may be the key to reducing stress in our lives.

Museums are a safe place to explore other points of view, cultures, and histories.

We round up the most-read Greater Good articles from the past year—and our editors pick the best of the rest.

Our team names the most provocative and influential findings published during this past year.

Paul Bloom’s controversial book Against Empathy mixes valid points with misguided critiques.

Greater Good's editors pick this year’s most thought-provoking, important, or useful nonfiction books on the science of a meaningful life.

A new study of twins explores where empathy comes from: nature or nurture?

According to a new study, pregnant women lose gray matter in their brains—and this process helps them figure out what other people need and feel.

Four steps to a healthier, more helpful, and more sustainable form of empathy.

A new study suggests more empathic police officers are less likely to become discouraged and demoralized.

The story of a group of sixth graders learning to bridge political divides after the U.S. election.

Pediatrician Claudia Gold wants to help parents and professionals discover the true reasons behind each child’s behavior.

According to a new study, we overestimate how well we can read emotions in other people's faces.

The new Pixar film has moved viewers young and old to take a look inside their own minds.

A Q&A; with MIT professor Sherry Turkle about her new book, Reclaiming Conversation.

The new Disney film raises tough questions about prejudice for parents and teachers to explore with children.

Why would human evolution have given us music? New research says the answer may lie in our drive to connect.

Psychologist Arthur Ciaramicoli argues that empathic listening may be the key to reducing stress in our lives.

A Q&A; with Dr. Helen Riess of Harvard Medical School about her efforts to nurture empathy among health care workers.

We're all subject to bias. Here are tips to help teachers treat all of their students with dignity and care.

A new study finds that the key to raising moral kids lies with the parents' sense of empathy and injustice.

Conflict between parents is inevitable—but it doesn’t have to hurt kids. Here’s how to turn a disagreement into a positive lesson.

Text messaging can breed disastrous misunderstandings between people. Here’s how to stop that from happening.

According to new research, music helps synchronize our bodies and our brains.

In our age of narcissism, a new book offers research-based tips for encouraging children to be empathic.

Do you prioritize other people's feelings over your own? You might be falling into the "empathy trap."

Our team names the most provocative and influential findings published during this past year.

Research reveals how stress can get between you and your partner, and how to stay connected amid the chaos.

New research reveals how we learn to lie for the benefit of other people.

According to two new studies, we need practice in dealing with difficult feelings—and we get it from helping other people manage their own.

According to a new study, pregnant women lose gray matter in their brains—and this process helps them figure out what other people need and feel.

Four steps to a healthier, more helpful, and more sustainable form of empathy.

The story of a group of sixth graders learning to bridge political divides after the U.S. election.

A new study suggests more empathic police officers are less likely to become discouraged and demoralized.

Pediatrician Claudia Gold wants to help parents and professionals discover the true reasons behind each child’s behavior.

According to a new study, we overestimate how well we can read emotions in other people's faces.

Two new books suggest that we can improve communication and care in medicine with more mindfulness and presence.

A new study suggests that promoting empathy and cross-group friendships in children can buffer against the negative effects of parental and peer biases.


Do you see happiness as within your control to improve? A new study has linked this belief to empathy.

New research reveals how we learn to lie for the benefit of other people.

According to a new study, students perform better when teachers share in their joy.

A new study suggests preschoolers can "catch" prejudice from grown-ups through nonverbal behavior—and it hints at solutions.

At a time when “empathy” is more controversial than ever, a researcher explains what it is, what it isn’t, and when it fosters kindness and compassion.

Yes, says sociologist Robb Willer—but the effort needs to be respectful and mutual.

New research finds levels of empathy vary considerably from state to state — and living among empathic neighbors improves quality of life.

Psychologist Arthur Ciaramicoli argues that empathic listening may be the key to reducing stress in our lives.

Museums are a safe place to explore other points of view, cultures, and histories.

We round up the most-read Greater Good articles from the past year—and our editors pick the best of the rest.

Our team names the most provocative and influential findings published during this past year.

Paul Bloom’s controversial book Against Empathy mixes valid points with misguided critiques.

Greater Good's editors pick this year’s most thought-provoking, important, or useful nonfiction books on the science of a meaningful life.

The new Pixar film has moved viewers young and old to take a look inside their own minds.

Conflict between parents is inevitable—but it doesn’t have to hurt kids. Here’s how to turn a disagreement into a positive lesson.

Sociologist Arlie Hochschild explains why we need to understand people on the other side of the political divide—and how empathy can be a force for positive change.

The most surprising, provocative, and inspiring findings published this past year.

We know in our gut when we’re hearing a good story—and research is starting to explain why.

One Berkeley preschool is baking empathy into its curriculum—and for good reason.

The most surprising, provocative, and inspiring findings published this past year.

New research provides a whole new understanding of the brain's amygdala—and suggests that happy people take the bad with the good.

Do you prioritize other people's feelings over your own? You might be falling into the "empathy trap."

A new book by Erika Christakis explains how current trends in preschool education are harming children.

Why would human evolution have given us music? New research says the answer may lie in our drive to connect.

In an adaptation from his new book, Dacher Keltner explains the secret to gaining and keeping power: focus on the good of others.

The new Disney film raises tough questions about prejudice for parents and teachers to explore with children.

Greater Good's editors pick the most thought-provoking, important, or useful nonfiction books published this year on the science of a meaningful life.

Our new and deeper understanding of human development is reshaping how we think about education.

A study suggests that stress and surprise can hurt your ability to put yourself in someone else's shoes.

According to a new study, considering students' perspectives cuts suspension rates in half and improves student-teacher relationships.

According to new research, music helps synchronize our bodies and our brains.

Following a wave of research suggesting the benefits of emotionally attuned physicians, the medical field is exploring ways to cultivate empathy.

One educator shares tales of teaching life lessons to her students, alongside integrals and exponentials.

Four new studies reveal how having power affects your willingness to walk in your partner's shoes.

A Q&A; with Dr. Helen Riess of Harvard Medical School about her efforts to nurture empathy among health care workers.