Ways of Knowing Compassion: How Can We Identify, Understand, and Measure Compassion?

SRI 21|Session 4

Ways of Knowing Compassion: How Can We Identify, Understand, and Measure Compassion?

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Overview

Over the last decade, research on compassion has burgeoned in the foundational, clinical, and translational sciences, proliferating an evidence base that helps us understand how compassion is engendered, strengthened, and expanded. Out of an increasing abundance of multidisciplinary and cross-disciplinary studies, progressively sophisticated understandings and measures of compassion have emerged. Here, Jennifer Mascaro presents a short theoretical review of methodologies used in the empirical study of compassion. Next, Jennifer discusses recent research that uses neuroscientific, epidemiologic, linguistics, and artificial intelligence methods to help us understand how and why compassion may emerge, even in difficult circumstances. Jennifer’s overall goal is to highlight the challenges to identifying and empirically studying the factors that facilitate or impede compassion and to discuss emerging research that has advanced new knowledge in this area. Finally, Jennifer hopes to foster discussion on what is “actionable” from this research and how to build off these findings in the future scientific study of compassion.

  • SRI 21
    11 sessions
  • June 4, 2024
    Garrison, New York
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Speakers

Jennifer Mascaro

Jenny Mascaro is an applied biological anthropologist whose research focuses on investigating the impact of mindfulness and compassion meditation practices on the well-being, compassion, and health of both hospitalized patients and their healthcare providers. Her research approach incorporates a mix of methods, such as ambulatory assessment of linguistic behavior, functional and structural neuroimaging, as well as clinical and psychosocial evaluations. Jenny’s work also delves into implementation science, aiming to systematically identify and assess innovative avenues for integrating well-being practices within hospital medicine. Beyond her professional pursuits, she finds joy in gardening alongside her dogs and chickens, cooking, hiking, and engaging in sports with her children. Jenny is a Mind & Life Fellow, has served as a reviewer for Mind & Life grants, and currently services as the Science and Grants Consultant for Mind & Life.

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