BelSU Lecturer Explores the Neurobiological Foundations of Empathy

As part of the #Лекторий project organized by the Russian Ministry of Education, an enlightening lecture was delivered by Elena Grebtsova, PhD in Biology and Associate Professor in the Department of Biology at the Institute of Pharmacy, Chemistry, and Biology at Belgorod State University. The event took place at the Belgorod State University Media Centre.

In her presentation, Grebtsova highlighted the ground-breaking discovery of mirror neurons, which has revolutionized our understanding of empathy in recent years. However, she cautioned that beneath this intriguing theory lie complex methodological challenges, conflicting data, and even a “dark side” to this essential social phenomenon.

The lecturer elaborated on how contemporary models of empathy portray it as a multi-layered experience, ranging from automatic emotional “contagion” to conscious, targeted assistance. She also addressed the biological significance of mirror neurons and the inherent limitations in researching the neural mechanisms of empathy in humans.