Do you think some people are born insensitive, or do they learn to behave that way?

Answer 1

it's conditioned

Answer 2

First, I apologize for the length. I did some homework.



Apparently,a recent study showed the common link between school shootings was that ALL of the shooters lacked empathy. The inability to see and feel from another's point of view. This study further discovered that empathy is innate but if it is not nurtured and reinforced then it dissipates quickly. Toddlers are aware of others emotions, however, if they are not encouraged to look from anothers perspective they continue to be self centered.

Example:
Two toddlers playing along side each other; one grabs the others toy. The child begins to cry, "That's mine!" The taker hits and pushes, "NO!" Normally, an adult referees and says,"He was playing with that. It's his turn. Go to a time out."

Instead of addressing who's turn it is, the adult could address the taker with, "Look at Gavin's face. Do you think he looks happy or sad? What do you think made him feel so sad? It looks like you had the same idea as Gavin. Let's see if we can find a truck just like that for you." OR "Gavin wasn't ready to be done with that truck. When he is done you can play with it."

Encouraging a child to acknowledge their impact on another and take responsibility and not immediately discipline may help encourage empathy.

Answer 3

I think every behavior is a result of our surroundings and are learned. Our emotions control how we respond and they are the key to our future behavior...Jealousy, greed, hate, love, sadness, initiative, disposition and personality, and insensitity included. Children are like sponges...they absorb everything. What they see and experience during their developmental years is what they become. Thats why the need to raise children in a nurturing and caring environment is so important. These important years are the blueprint of how they respond in the future. Children are born with the genes to ID physical traits...NOT behavior patterns or emotional status.

I have to return to respond to Kbana...children are NOT born with "attitudes" or responses/actions that are learned and acquired later on. These are things that are formed by what they are exposed to daily when growing up, i.e., domestic violence teaches them that its okay to react in that manner, cursing teaches them that its "normal" to speak that way. If they grew up seeing family members taking a dump in the middle of the floor, they in turn, would do the same because thats what is "normal" to them. No, Mother Nature does not bestow upon us these acquired traits and behaviors. We are born as a blueprint and how we develop into the finished product is the result of our upbringing and general surroundings. Kbana, its scary that you are working daily with children...

Answer 4

Some people are just born insensitive, but I think most learn it from their parents and other people around them when they're still young.

Answer 5

As a mother, I can tell you infants and toddlers are indeed born sensitive. They learn to overcome a great deal of it in order to function away from mommy & daddy. I think those that are insensitive jerks as adults are that way because of their environment, not because they were born that way. Probably an uncaring parent that teaches kids by example to be insenstive/uncaring.

Answer 6

we are born thinking only about ourselves and remain that way for a long time. i think we learn to care about others, but at the same time, i think we also learn how to be more than just a 'natural' insensitive. so i agree, Both.

Answer 7

I'd say they learn it by watching their parents or from the friends they are around. I think everyone is born pure and innocent. It's the world and the people among it that make bad things of people.

Answer 8

I absolutley believe you can be taught a certain way from what you see growing up. You can change the way you treat people. Some people use it as an excuse that they had a bad life or have been hurt too many times but that doesn't matter. You have no reason to treat others bad if they had nothing to do w/what caused you to feel that way. My daughter (9) just said to me last night,"Treat others the way you want to be treated" That's exactly right! (She just said it cuz I was picking on our cat saying he was slow ha!ha!)

Answer 9

I think it is a definite learned behavior. A person chooses to be insensitive it is not an innate response.

Answer 10

They learn to behave that way. You can't really be born with that characteristic...you just pick that up from someone around you.

Answer 11

I feel everyone is born with curiosity on their mind. It's up to the parents. to teach them Respect, kindness. And how to be someone who is optimistic in life. If left without those keys to life. Each will go towards the popular myths. Which values anger. Before respect.