The Science of Compassion shows how science can help us to develop compassion, demonstrating why it's important for ourselves, our relationships, and our society as a whole.

As children and perhaps into adulthood, we're all reminded that we should treat others the way that we ourselves would like to be treated.

But although we all know compassion to be a sign of kindness and therefore a desirable trait, few of us realize the wider benefits that come from it.

Kelly McGonigal is a health psychologist and lecturer at Stanford University, specializing in the study of how psychology and neuroscience can improve our overall well-being, also known as 'science help'.

In The Science of Compassion, McGonigal provides us with an introduction to compassion and how scientific findings have shown empathy to be hugely beneficial to us on various different levels.

At the Center for Compassion and Altruism Research and Education, or CCARE, a group of Stanford-based scientists, physicians, and psychologists have studied empathy and here help to provide valuable insights that can help communities become more compassionate.