Psychological Sciences
Virtual Visit Request info Apply
MENUMENU
  • Degrees & Programs
    • Undergraduate Programs
      • BS Psychological Sciences
      • Minor in Psychological Sciences
    • Certificates and Internships
      • Field Work and Internship (PSY 408C) Course
    • Graduate
      • Master of Arts in Psychological Sciences
      • Application Process
      • Graduate Assistantship Information
      • Scholarship and Teaching Exchange (PsychSTEP)
      • Student Testimonials
  • People
    • Faculty & Staff
      • Faculty Directory
      • Faculty Emeriti
      • Staff
    • Current & Former Students
      • Featured Alumni
    • Student Clubs & Organizations
      • Psychology Club & Psi Chi
  • Research
    • Research Groups
      • Contemplative Psychophysiology Research Group (Goodman)
      • Cooperation and Social Identity Research Group
      • Healthy Aging Research Group
      • Neuroscience of Empathy and Compassion Group (Woodruff)
      • The Research on Altered States of Consciousness Laboratory (RASCL) (Stevens)
      • Vaping and Novel Substance Use Research Group (Sydeman)
      • Work-Life Research Group (Huffman)
    • Psychological Sciences Undergraduate Research Courses
  • Resources
    • Financial Resources
      • Scholarships
    • Academic Resources
      • General Resources
        • Academic Success Centers
        • SBS Advising
        • Cline Library
        • NAU Writing Commons (CAL)
        • Poster printing – Department of Psychological Sciences
        • Open Lab Hours: HLC 4111
        • NAU Human Research Protection Program
        • Student resource guide
      • For Undergraduate Students
        • Depth Courses
        • Capstone Experience
        • Resources for student success
    • For Graduate Students
      • Graduate College
      • Graduate opportunities and resources
  • About
    • Department
      • Message From the Chair
      • FAQ
      • Connect
      • Contact Information
    • What's New
      • News
      • Events
  • Faculty research interests
  • NAU
  • Psychological Sciences
  • Neuroscience of Empathy and Compassion Lab

Neuroscience of Empathy and Compassion Lab

The Neuroscience of Empathy and Compassion lab uses Electroencephalography (EEG) to measure brain signals related to empathy and compassion. The lab puts a particular focus on self-other discrimination and its role in promoting perspective-taking and minimizing personal distress. Recent data suggest that stronger mirror neuron reactivity to “invisible man” stimuli possibly relates to stronger religious and paranormal beliefs. We are also investigating differences in mu suppression between vegetarians and omnivores while viewing videos of traditional food animals, with the hypothesis that vegetarians will show more mu suppression (mirror neuron activity) than omnivores. The lab is also investigating how belief in free will may impact compassionate behavior with the hypothesis that disbelieving in free will would promote more compassionate behavior. Dr. Woodruff’s lab is always recruiting highly motivated and inquisitive students.

Findings

Among the most important discoveries from the lab is that increased self-other differences in mu suppression (a signal that partly reflects mirror neurons) relates to increased perspective-taking abilities. Additionally, the lab has shown that power increase in another EEG signal within the beta band range relates to personal distress while decreases in power relates to empathy. These findings are being applied to various topics.

https://www.researchgate.net/profile/C_Woodruff

Department of Psychological Sciences
Location
Room 333 Building 60
SAS
1100 S. Beaver St., PO Box 15106
Flagstaff, AZ 86011
Contact Form
Email
PSYInfoCenter@nau.edu
Phone
928-523-3063
Fax
928-523-2442
Social Media
Visit us on X