Empathy in adolescence: convenient or key?

February 16, 2015 • 1 min read

Not everybody is equally competent at reading intentions, sharing emotions, and in estimating the needs of others. Sandy Overgaauw investigated the role of individual differences in empathy. How and why do we differ from a brain and behavioral perspective?

Does reading fiction make you a better person?

Could reading a good book make you a better person? In a time in which our bestsellers include horrific deaths (e.g. Game of Thrones) and erotic sadomasochism (e.g. Fifty Shades of Grey), this idea may seem far-fetched.

Suzanne van de Groep • March 15, 2016

Love is in the… brain!

Do you celebrate Valentine’s Day? Even if you don’t, you probably express your love to your partner on other occasions. Love is something we all experience in life. What happens in the brain when we’re in love?

Neeltje Blankenstein • February 13, 2016

Compassion and when to feel it

People can feel compassion when they see somebody in physical or psychological pain. Not every observed suffering, however, leads to feelings of compassion. What exactly is compassion, and can we predict under which circumstances we experience it?

Fieke Harinck • November 04, 2013

leidenpsychologyblog

Sandy Overgaauw

Empathy in adolescence: convenient or key?

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Does reading fiction make you a better person?

Love is in the… brain!

Compassion and when to feel it