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Associate Professor of Psychology Michael Spezio was the lead author of a proposal that was awarded a $1.3 million grant from the John Templeton Foundation for a study on how the human brain is influenced by compassionate communities and how these groups stimulate more acts of compassion.

“Through this study, I’m interested in better understanding how the brain values others,” says Spezio, a neuroscientist whose research specializes in deciphering how the mind inspires acts of empathy and compassion.

For this study, Spezio collaborated with L’Arche, a nonprofit international federation that assists adults who have profound cognitive disabilities. Founded in France in 1964 by philosopher, theologian, and humanitarian Jean Vanier, L’Arche has affiliates throughout the world. Vanier was recently awarded the Templeton Prize for his work in creating communities bounded by acts of compassion.

Spezio recognized L’Arche as an ideal group to collaborate with for this study.

He is also working with researchers from Fuller Theological Seminary and Caltech in Pasadena and individuals from L’Arche USA. Spezio and project colleagues have met with residents from L’Arche’s Orange County-based group home during the course of the project.

“If we want to understand how the brain works when dealing with the topic of compassion, then we have to study people who are compassionate,” Spezio says. “The findings of our research may lead to changes that could foster compassionate types of behavior consistently.

“I want to know what sets these caregivers apart and how their dedication sets them apart from other people. These caregivers live with the individuals who are severely disabled. If not for L’Arche, they could be living on the streets or in an institution.”