Original Research

Neurophysiologic, phenomenological, cultural, social and spiritual correlates of empathy experiences: integral psychological and person centered perspectives

Steve Edwards, Duncan Cramer, Dimitri Kelaiditis, David Edwards, Nira Naidoo, Dale Davidson, Jabu Thwala, Buyi Mbele, Vusi Siyaya, Ashmin Singh, Pumelela Tshabalala, Sumeshni Govender, Dumisani Nzima
Inkanyiso | Vol 3, No 2 | a273 | DOI: https://doi.org/10.4102/ink.v3i2.273 | © 2025 Steve Edwards, Duncan Cramer, Dimitri Kelaiditis, David Edwards, Nira Naidoo, Dale Davidson, Jabu Thwala, Buyi Mbele, Vusi Siyaya, Ashmin Singh, Pumelela Tshabalala, Sumeshni Govender, Dumisani Nzima | This work is licensed under CC Attribution 4.0
Submitted: 11 October 2025 | Published: 30 December 2011

About the author(s)

Steve Edwards, Department of Psychology, University of Zululand, South Africa
Duncan Cramer, University of Loughborough, United Kingdom
Dimitri Kelaiditis, University of Zululand, South Africa
David Edwards, Department of Psychology, University of Zululand, South Africa
Nira Naidoo, Department of Psychology, University of Zululand, South Africa
Dale Davidson, Department of Psychology, University of Zululand, South Africa
Jabu Thwala, Department of Psychology, University of Zululand, South Africa
Buyi Mbele, Department of Psychology, University of Zululand, South Africa
Vusi Siyaya, Department of Psychology, University of Zululand, South Africa
Ashmin Singh, Department of Psychology, University of Zululand, South Africa
Pumelela Tshabalala, Department of Psychology, University of Zululand, South Africa
Sumeshni Govender, Department of Educational Psychology, South Africa
Dumisani Nzima, Department of Educational Psychology, South Africa

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Abstract

The main objective of this research was to explore neurophysiologic, phenomenological, cultural and social correlates of recipients’ experiences of empathy within the context of Wilber’s Integral approach and Person Centered theory and practice. Thirteen psychologists participated as co-researchers in a triangulated, within subjects’ post-test experimental design in which empathy data were compared with data from control conditions of factual information processing and rest. A consistent pattern emerged from data gathered. Empathy experiences were associated with an unexpected, statistically significant increase in alpha activity, with some associated increasing trends in theta and beta activity. Expected findings were significant decreases in delta activity accompanied by decreasing trends in gamma wave activity, muscle tension, heart and respiration rate. Individual experiences generally reflected an affective, interpersonal, cultural, social and spiritual state of normal waking consciousness. Participant consensus was that the neurophysiologic and other correlates corresponded truthfully with typical empathic moments, insights and/or peak experiences, which are associated with effective therapeutic change in traditional and contemporary healing contexts.

Keywords

neurophysiologic; phenomenological; cultural; social; spiritual; correlates; empathy experiences; integral psychology; person centered psychotherapy

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