

This began to change with the advent of a developmental psychopathology approach and assessment of risk factors implicating high levels of concern for others in anxiety and depression. Research on surfeits of concern for others has been hampered by reluctance to pathologize behaviours that seem so mature and considerate. Others’ lives also are affected (e.g., parents, siblings, peers). Surfeits and deficits in caring emotions and behaviours in children and adolescents can undermine quality of social relationships and long-term adjustment. 16 DSM-V psychiatric nomenclature describes disorders defined, to a significant degree, by these deficits. The two types of empathy deficits are referred to as active versus passive deficits, respectively. 3 It is also seen in children high in inhibition, 14 which predicts later anxiety and depression in adolescence, especially in girls. This can be seen in children on the autism spectrum.

It is relatively rare and may signal later conduct problems and psychopathic traits. 13,7 It is seen in laughter as children enjoy the person’s distress, anger/aggression, and blaming the victim. This appears in the second and third years of life, af-ter concern for others emerges and is expressed toward both adults and peers. Extreme concern can also be seen in a genetic disorder, William’s Disease it includes mild to moderate mental disability and high sociability, where extreme prosociality can create danger. 11,2 From early on in development extreme concern may be a sign of these internalizing problems. High levels of empathy and prosocial behaviours are sometimes associated with anxiety and depression. From early on, however, three types of extremes are present 8,9,10 that may be precursors of later psychological and psychiatric problems. 6,7 They are manifest in facial and vocal expressions of empathy/sympathy, the forms of prosocial actions noted above, and cognitive awareness of the other’s experience. 3,4,5,2Įxpressions of concern for others begin during the first and second year of life. 3,4,2 The study of extremes can provide insights into processes associated with different forms of psychopathology.

2 Some psychiatric disorders and psychological problems are characterized, in part, by extremes of empathy, both surfeits and deficits that undermine the capacity to care for others in a healthy manner. 1 Under some circumstances these feelings and actions can be maladaptive. Prosocial actions evoked by others’ distress are often motivated by feelings of empathy/sympathy and a desire to alleviate their suffering. These adaptive behaviours reflect social-emotional competence. They include sharing, help, comfort, protection and defense of others, and related traits of kindness and generosity. Prosocial behaviours provide benefit to others. Technology in early childhood education.Stress and pregnancy (prenatal and perinatal).Integrated early childhood development services.Importance of early childhood development.Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorders (FASD).Child care – Early childhood education and care.Behaviour Education Health Pregnancy Family Programs
