Understanding others' feelings: what is empathy and why do we need it?

 

In this article for the Conversation, Dr Pascal Molenberghs talks about the different aspects of empathy and their function. You can read the full article here.

 

9 January 2017

​

Here’s what science says about populism, the rise of Donald Trump, and how to heal a fractured country

​

In this piece Dr Pascal Molenberghs talks about the science of populism in the Conversation. Read the full article here.

​

4 November 2016

​

The science behind piracy: Guilt portion of the brain fails to fire

​

One third of Australians aged between 16 and 75 years watch movies and television shows downloaded illegally from the internet - further proof that Australians are among the biggest illegal downloaders in the world. New research looking at the brain activity of people as they engage in illegal downloading reveals startling insights into why normally law-abiding people are comfortable breaking what is seen as intangible laws, such as piracy... Continue reading here.

​

Also featured on Sunrise and Herald Sun.

​

10 May 2016

​

The power of glory: How extremism wins minds - and how to get them back

​

A recent study by Dr Pascal Molenberghs has been featured in Croakey concerning young Australians who are willing to break the law, kill or even die for the cause of Islamic State. Click here to read the full article.

​

11 April 2016

​

Why do some people always agree with others? The science of social conformity

​

New brain imaging research suggests that some people experience mental distress when faced with the prospect of disagreeing with others. The findings, published in the journal Frontiers in Human Neuroscience, reveal that some individuals choose to agree most of the time with others to spare themselves feelings of discomfort... Continue reading here

​

Also featured on SBS, Medical Daily, Daily Mail, The Sydney Morning Herald and New York Magazine.

​

8 February 2016

​

Top honours for budding scientists

​

In recognition of his research achievements and leadership potential,  researcher Dr Pascal Molenberghs has won a Victorian Young Tall Poppy Science Award for 2015. Read about it here.

​

10 November 2015

​

Is there a moral centre in our brain?

​

Making moral decisions is a complex process. We have to think about the consequences of our actions for ourselves (will I go to jail?), others (will this person suffer as a consequence of my decision?), and society at large (does society benefit from my choice?).

 

Depending on the situation, it involves brain regions linked to decision making, empathy, Theory of Mind (the ability to think about the mental states of others), memory, agency - or a combination of these... Continue reading at The Conversation.

​

Also featured on SBS News and IFL Science.

​

19 September 2015

Leaders only inspire when we feel part of their group

​

When people talk about successful leaders they often focus on the personal and physical characteristics of those individuals. Great leaders are tall, good communicators, friendly, decisive, good looking, or have charisma.

 

However, according to the social identity theory of leadership, the focus should not be on the leaders themselves but on their followers. Successful leaders are only successful if they are perceived like this through the eyes of their followers... Continue reading at The Conversation.

​

17 July 2015

​

Emotional brains ‘physically different' to rational ones

​

Researchers at Monash University have found physical differences in the brains of people who respond emotionally to others' feelings, compared to those who respond more rationally, in a study published in the journal NeuroImage.

 

The work, led by Robert Eres from the University's School of Psychological Sciences, pinpointed correlations between grey matter density and cognitive and affective empathy. The study looked at whether people who have more brain cells in certain areas of the brain are better at different types of empathy... Continue reading here.

​

Also featured on Science Daily, Softpedia, IFL Science, and Richard Dawkins Foundation for Reason and Science.

​

18 June 2015

​

Brain scans reveal how people ‘justify' killing

​

A new study has thrown light on how people can become killers in certain situations, showing how brain activity varies according to whether or not killing is seen as justified.

​

The study, led by Monash researcher Dr Pascal Molenberghs, School of Psychological Sciences, is published today in the journal Social Cognitive and Affective Neuroscience... Continue reading here.

​

Also featured on ABC News, Daily Mail, Time Magazine, and The Age

8 April 2015