“WE FEEL BETTER JUST BEING AROUND OTHER PEOPLE AND WE REQUIRE CLOSER, CARING RELATIONSHIPS FOR OUR OWN WELLBEING�
research suggests that this impulse
just being around other people and we
for example, which are believed to
Altruism in particular has been shown
is innately human. Within our brains are structures called mirror neurons, be
correlated
with
our
ability
to
immediately understand what another is
experiencing (Society for Neuroscience). Brain scans have shown that some of the
same areas of the brain light up when
one is experiencing an emotion as when one is viewing the facial expression of another who is feeling that same emotion (Society for Neuroscience). The fact that
we possess such abilities at all insinuates that empathy is somehow essential for human survival, and in fact, it has
been found that human connection is a
fundamental necessity. We feel better
require closer, caring relationships for our own wellbeing (This Emotional Life). to establish closer relationships and a
greater sense of community. Giving to others involves positive emotions like generosity, compassion, and gratitude,
all of which actually increase happiness. Even so, we do not need science to tell us this. We can just look around us, and within ourselves. Each human is
distinct, but is also dependent upon the
whole. If what surrounds us is in a poor state, we will be too. We truly know that being of help to something beyond ourselves is inherently good, because we also feel it.
Milwaukee Institute of Art and Design | Bridge | Fall 2011
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