Compassion - Bridging Practice and Science - page 187

patterns that are related to the decoupling of thinking from immediate self-related processing,
emotional reactions or action preparation [28].More research is needed to elucidate these patterns.
Perspective-Taking on Self
Many contemplative traditions question the notion of a self as an independent, unified and enduring
entity. Modern neuroscience has joined in this skepticism towards such a “self-entity”, showing that
there is no “self-center” in the brain, but that the feeling of self is brought about by the interplay of
many widely distributed brain regions[29]. This notion is not only theoretically interesting, but when
thoroughly understood and internalized can have significant consequences for the way we
perceive ourselves and others in everyday life (“self-construal”[30]). We may become more aware
of the impact that other people have on our thoughts and feelings (interdependent self-construal),
which is associated with closer relationships and more prosocial behavior[31].Observing the
change and the variety within may also lead to a more diverse self-image (“self-complexity”), which
has been found to serve as a buffer against stress-related diseases and depression[32]. Moreover,
such a perspective may help reduce over-identification with certain self-aspects. Less rigidity and
more humor with regard to the “self” may help to counteract the increase in egoism and narcissism
in our society[33] that is associated with a concomitant increase in depression and burn-out
rate[34], resulting from excessive demands and expectations towards the self and high levels of
self-criticism (also see chapter 3).
On the neuronal level, reflections about the self, the retrieval of autobiographic memories or the
processing of self-relevant stimuli all engage cortical midline structures[29].Important to the skill
described here, however, is the ability to decouple from a certain activated inner role and switch to
another one; an activity that is likely to be subserved by the temporo-parietal junction, together with
other structures [28]that are activated when we try to take somebody else’s perspective (e.g.,
precuneus, medial prefrontal cortex).
Taking the Perspective of Others
This skill refers to our ability to understand other people’s mental states, such as beliefs, thoughts,
intentions or views. This ability has been termed theory of mind, mentalizing or cognitive
perspective-taking[28].This rather cognitive route of social cognition has been distinguished from
the previously mentioned affective route to the understanding of others, which includes
phenomena such as emotion contagion, empathy or compassion[12].Whereas the affective route
always includes the presence of a vicarious feeling state, cognitive perspective-taking does not
entail much feeling but consists of “cold” cognitive processes. These processes are particularly
important when the other is so different from ourselves (e.g., somebody of different age, culture
and gender) that a pure projection of our own affective states onto the other would result in
misattribution and egocentric biases.
The brain systems subserving this kind of reasoning have been intensively studied and include the
medial prefrontal cortex, the temporo-parietal junction, the precuneus and the posterior
cingulate[12],[28].
The ability and inclination to step into somebody else’s shoes may reduce a cognitive distortion that
has been termed the “egocentric bias” and refers to the inability of subjects to detach from their
own experience or views when inferring what others may feel, think or value[35]. Thus,
perspective-taking on others may lead to encounters in which both sides more accurately
understand each other’s needs and concerns, resulting in interactions that are more satisfying and
profitable.
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