The FitMind Podcast: Mental Fitness, Neuroscience & Psychology #107: The Science of Human Connection - Dr. Tania Singer
Nov 25, 2025
Dr. Tania Singer, a social neuroscientist known for her groundbreaking work in empathy and compassion, delves into the complexity of our social brains. She explains how empathy and compassion engage different neural networks, emphasizing that compassion is more resilient in facing suffering. Tania discusses the ReSource Project, showcasing how dyadic practices foster stronger social connections and lower stress levels compared to solo meditation. Her insights extend to applications in education and healthcare, aiming to cultivate a more compassionate society.
AI Snips
Chapters
Transcript
Episode notes
Empathy And Compassion Are Different Networks
- Empathy and compassion are distinct brain states with different networks and functions.
- Compassion is more resilient because it pairs caring motivation with positive affiliative feelings.
Watching Pain Activates Affective Pain Circuits
- Observing partners in scanners showed that watching another's pain activates affective parts of the pain network.
- The anterior insula and mid-cingulate code the aversive, emotional component of vicarious pain.
Matthieu Ricard Demonstrated The Switch
- While scanning Matthieu Ricard, Singer expected empathy networks but saw reward and affiliative networks instead.
- Ricard then switched to empathic distress and requested compassion practice to recover, illustrating the switchable states.