The researchers think the reduced neural empathy we show toward superior people is somehow linked to the way they make us feel bad about ourselves. Consistent with this, participants showed increased activity in the aMCC when looking at three-star players undergoing the painless Q-tip procedure, as if the mere sight of these top performers was an uncomfortable experience..
The results are consistent with, and add to, past research that’s shown people’s neural empathic responses are diminished when witnessing pain endured by someone they dislike, or someone from a different social group.
By Christian Jarrett The Science of Us
