Compassion is fundamentally rooted in recognizing and responding to the suffering of others, fueled by a desire to alleviate that suffering.
Compassion is not a single emotion but rather a complex response built upon several key elements. The basis of compassion can be broken down into these components:
The Six Attributes of Compassion
According to research, compassion comprises six key attributes. These attributes are necessary to truly experience and express compassion.
| Attribute | Description |
|---|---|
| Sensitivity | Being aware of and noticing the suffering of others. |
| Sympathy | Feeling concern and sorrow for someone else's misfortune. |
| Empathy | Understanding and sharing the feelings of another person. |
| Motivation/Caring | Having the desire to help alleviate the suffering of others. As Goetz et al. (2010) describe, compassion is "the feeling that arises in witnessing another's suffering and that motivates a subsequent desire to help" (p. 351). |
| Distress Tolerance | The ability to manage one's own discomfort when witnessing suffering. |
| Non-Judgement | Approaching others' suffering without criticism or evaluation. |
The Foundation: Recognizing Suffering and Wanting to Help
Ultimately, compassion is built on the foundation of recognizing another's suffering and being motivated to help. Without the desire to alleviate suffering, the other attributes are present, the act of compassion remains incomplete. This motivational aspect is crucial.
