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Full-Text Articles in Social Justice
The Cultural Shaping Of Compassion, Birgit Koopmann-Holm, Jeanne L. Tsai
The Cultural Shaping Of Compassion, Birgit Koopmann-Holm, Jeanne L. Tsai
Psychology
In this chapter, we first review the existing literature on cross-cultural studies on compassion. While cultural similarities exist, we demonstrate cultural differences in the conception, experience, and expression of compassion. Then we present our own work on the cultural shaping of compassion by introducing Affect Valuation Theory ( e.g., Tsai, Knutson, & Fung, 2006), our theoretical framework. We show how the desire to avoid feeling negative partly explains cultural differences in conceptualizations and expressions of compassion. Specifically, the more people want to avoid feeling negative, the more they focus on the positive (e.g., comforting memories) than the negative (e.g., the …
Nurturing Compassion Development Among College Students: A Longitudinal Study, Thomas G. Plante, Katherine Halman
Nurturing Compassion Development Among College Students: A Longitudinal Study, Thomas G. Plante, Katherine Halman
Psychology
Little research exists on the development of compassion among college undergraduates. This study tracks changes in compassion and identifies factors associated with these changes over the course of undergraduate students’ college careers, from the time of admittance to the time of graduation. Compassion levels assessed at the point of college entrance accounted for 25% of the variance in compassion at the time of graduation. These findings provided evidence for the notion that compassion can continue to be cultivated once in college. Predictors such as diversity training, the frequency of religious service attendance, participation in community-based service-learning, political identification, and feeling …
Compassion Predictors In Undergraduates: A Catholic College Example, Erin S. Callister, Thomas G. Plante
Compassion Predictors In Undergraduates: A Catholic College Example, Erin S. Callister, Thomas G. Plante
Psychology
Compassion is sorely needed in contemporary society, including within faith-based colleges. Past research has examined the prevention of compassion fatigue in healthcare professions, but relatively little research exists on the predictors of compassion, particularly among student populations. This study examines the factors associated with higher compassion levels in graduating college seniors, revealing demographic, experiential, and beliefrelated factors contributing to compassion. Results suggest that the general profile of a highly compassionate graduating college senior is a student who is female, politically liberal, religious, studying the natural or social sciences, actively involved in community service or volunteering, and who has undergone workshops …
Compassion Development In Higher Education, Roxanne Rashedi, Thomas G. Plante, Erin S. Callister
Compassion Development In Higher Education, Roxanne Rashedi, Thomas G. Plante, Erin S. Callister
Psychology
Many schools of psychology and religious studies intend to promote the cultivation of compassion. Compassion is currently an integral area of study in psychology, religious studies, and higher education, specifically in faith-based higher education. While secular universities in the United States strive to generate disciplinary-based knowledge through scholarship, their ability to promote students' use of the information they are learning to create positive social change has typically lagged. Conscious of the magnitude of today's global issues and dissatisfied with the current disparity between the world's reality and university curricula, scholars have begun to re-imagine the role of higher education in …