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The Science of Empathy

How the brain is wired for empathy - by author and neuroscientist Dr. Thomas Lewis (A General Theory of Love)

http://www.youtube.com:80/watch?v=1-T2GsG0l1E

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Rewards and punishment don't work, intrinsic motivators do

This short TED talk (18 minutes), given a couple of months ago, shares recent research on how extrinsic motivation not only doesn't promote productivity but actually diminishes it.

http://www.ted.com/talks/dan_pink_on_motivation.html

The author, Dan Pink (who was a speech-writer for Al Gore), suggests there is no scientific basis for the belief in the reward and punishment model, except in situations where minimal cognitive creativity is unnecessary.

The research, he suggests, says that rewards and punishment not only don't work but actually impede progress. What does work, he says, are intrinsic motivators - and he names three needs as key: autonomy, mastery and purpose. "This is one of the most robust findings in social science. And also one of the most ignored", he says.

The talk is given from a business perspective, and I had no trouble 'adapting' it in my mind, to speak about families, the justice system or education. I really enjoyed the updated research findings. They supported me to be more upfront about what is, for me, a key aspect of NVC teaching. I hope the talk is also meaningful to you.

Dominic Barter

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