Critical Incident Analysis: Part C - Personal Reflection on Empathy

This report presents a critical incident analysis, focusing on the author's personal reflection on empathy, emotions, and behavioral traits. The analysis is conducted through an artful auto-ethnographic approach, utilizing Gardner's reflective cycle and Gibb's reflective cycle to explore personal experiences and reactions to a specific incident involving a child in distress. The author connects emotional responses to various stimuli, including art pieces and songs, to gain deeper insights into their own emotional intelligence and empathetic nature. The report examines the interplay of personal and professional identity, highlighting the importance of empathy in both contexts. The author details a real-life scenario where they chose to assist a distressed child, reflecting on the emotional complexities of the situation and the decision-making process. The research employs emotional intelligence to evaluate the effect on professional life. This report is a valuable resource for students seeking to understand the role of empathy in decision-making and behavior.

Running Head: CRTITICAL INCIDENT ANALYSIS
Critical Incident Analysis
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PART C
Critical reflection is concluded from data collection of several paintings and incidences. Such
data is used to reflect regarding myself using Gardner’s cycle in Gibb’s reflective cycle.
Reflection has been obtained through emotions, feelings, behaviours and attitudes. The
methodology that I have chosen to carry the study forward is artful auto ethnographic practices
in nature. In the process of study I will be implementing art based and creativity focused
approach as it will help me express my analysis and judgment better. I would like to include this
approach as I have always been influenced and inclined towards art as I feel art brings out the
true sense of emotions and feelings in a human being. I collect art with which I can connect
emotionally. The reflection I have been able to analyse from “Awaken the Giant Within” by
Goofy Tony Robbins. It helped analyse regarding cognitive theory of interior world with
motivations. Below is a data for critical reflection in order to understand self, a picture from
which my emotions and feelings can be understood. DATA 1:
Figure 1: British Graphite Arts
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Running Head: CRTITICAL INCIDENT ANALYSIS
Emotions: I have always been a very firm believer of a particular proverb that I once came
across, “if we overlook our emotion and feelings then we can no longer remain true to our own
selves”. Emotions and feelings are something that forms the foundation of our character, the
person we are and the personality we develop. Most of the time we are held back in the society
and are not encouraged to express emotions or feelings explicitly as it viewed to make a person
vulnerable. But I do not think that these aspects of a human nature should be subdued under any
circumstance. Yes, there is of course a difference in the level of expression or way of expression
depending on the situation. I am aware of the fact that emotions and feelings are not aspects that
are black and white. But I am always a person who is clear about likes and dislikes. However, I
will not disagree that it is also not always healthy to think emotionally. I have suffered several
setbacks in like because I can be too emotional at times, there have been instances where I feel
helpless and betrayed by loved ones. I believe in the saying, “Not everyone who smiles at you is
your friend”. Another novel from gaining insights was “The Secret”, which was critical for
employment. It helped reflection regarding my emotions and feelings. Below is a data for critical
reflection in order to understand self, a picture from which my emotions and feelings can be
understood. DATA 2.
Figure 2: London Artiste
As feelings and emotions are a much deeper and complex aspects of a human personality and
reflection the approach that is used in this process is Gardner cycle. The analytical process that is
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employed in this approach will give a much deeper insight which is essential for this research
study. The Gardner approach poses a challenge to the concepts that are based as the foundation
of society, culture and organization.
Figure 3: Gardner's Cycle
The point of concentration of this approach is the underlying principles, emotions and feeling
which would not surface if the Gibbs cycle was chosen. Reaction, meaning, context and
experience are added to explore empathy and other associated feelings in a critical process.
Analyzing the reaction of a situation will help me understand the mind and body comprehends
with the situation, finding out the meaning of the understand values associated will help me
understand the aspects that impact me. The context and experience will help me gather insights
of the reactions I give to situations in terms of emotions and feelings. By implementing the
Gardener cycle I will get a concrete output of the situation and the feelings and emotions that are
attached to it.
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Figure 4: Reflective Cycle
Personal cultural texts as personal data that will be include in order to validate the data, the
sources are multiplicity of voices as it will validate all the intrapersonal communication that I go
through in a given situation the process will make sure that all my feelings and emotions are
evaluated in a proper manner. I will also include the emotional intelligence in this process which
will help me understand the level at which emotion effects my professional life. A prominent
song by Elton John, “Your Song” helped me bring about regarding my emotions and feelings.
Below is a data for critical reflection in order to understand self, a picture from which my
emotions and feelings can be understood. DATA 3.
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Running Head: CRTITICAL INCIDENT ANALYSIS
Figure 5: Saatchi Art
The feeling and emotion that I am going to talk about in this research is empathy. My
recognition or agreeing to a feeling or emotion of another person depending on the circumstance
and situation is very evident and hence I have chosen this topic as my research. Emotions and
feelings are something that I connected with the most out of the options because I am a very
emotional personal and I don’t think most people give importance and attention to these
emotions as it is an abstract concept. I understand the need of other and hence I am emotionally
attached or moved in certain situations. I choose this research aim because I thought I will be
able to relate to the topic with the help of the experiences I have encountered in the past. It will
be easy for me to collect the data when the aim of the research is personally relatable. According
to the social identity theory identity is a person’s sense of who they are based on their situation
and surroundings. Personal and professional identity of a person has a vast difference for a few
and for some the difference is not that notable. Depending on the role a person has to play in the
professional world the identity varies. Song by George Michael, “Last Christmas” also helped
bring out my emotions and feelings. Below is a data for critical reflection in order to understand
self, a picture from which my emotions and feelings can be understood. DATA 4.
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Figure 6: Traditional Art Collection
Traits and Behaviours: From this research I want to understand what are the traits and
behavioral pattern. I regard myself as a good listener and hence I feel that I can relate to the pain
and suffering of another person and hence I want to cultivate this aspect of my characteristic.
With the help of this research I also want to understand the dynamic that are related to this
emotion. Some of the related feelings to empathy that I recognize with is pity, sympathy and
compassion. The role of empathy is also important in the professional carrier as it helps develop
a sense of understanding with the help of mutual benefit.
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Figure 7: Self-Awareness Wheel
It was a busy and usual day and I was already running late for office. It was also one of the
important days at work as I had to attend a very important meeting. As I was already very late I
was not able to take anything else in my mind apart from the aim of reaching office and
attending the meeting. I had just joined the job a month ago and was very much nervous. This
was because, it was the first important meeting at work after my joining and I did not want to
earn any bad impression. I suddenly came across a child who was sitting near the road side and
was crying a lot. Perhaps because of the fact that, he was lost and was unable to get back to his
home. As soon as I saw him, I was moved. As much I was aware of myself identity of being an
emotionally charged person. I was always a very emotional person.
After seeing this sight, several thoughts started popping up into my mind. On one hand I had the
urge of going to the office on time and attending the meeting and on the other hand I also could
not leave the child alone. I was really moved by seeing the poor condition of the child. The
immediate feeling that came into my mind as soon as I saw the child sitting and crying all alone
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by the road side was to help him. Though I knew that I had to somehow reach the office on time
but under no circumstances I could leave the child all alone. I somehow had to help out the child.
I knew that I had a very impotrtant meeting at office and if I could not reach there on time then I
will be charge heavily by the ofice authorities. Owing to the fact that I was a very new joinee, I
could also be terminated from the job as well. However, on the other hand I also had this feeling
that the child was in such a miserable condition and was also helpless. Though I was helplss too
but somewhere or the other my condition was much better than that of the child. This was
because of the fact that even if i lose the job I have the option of going for many other interviews
and will also be selected for a job. My life will somehow be settled by then. However the case of
the child is different. I felt the condition of the parents of the child. I realized that they were very
much worried at this point of time. On the other hand, they also had no option unlke me. They
will never be able to get back their child if they lose him. I had to make some wise analysis of
the situation before I could render my help to the same. I went near to the child and saw that he
was really in a very bad condition. He was also quite injured. He was crying bitterly as he lost
his parents the night before at a nearby fair. Since then he has been roaming around here and
there. He was starving as he did not eat anything entiure night. I also found that he was getting
afraid by seeing the large mob that gathered around him. I made up my mind that helping out this
child and uniting him back with his parents was my prior objective.
I immediately conveyed this message at my office that I will not be able to attend the office due
to some urgent reasons. I asked the mob to disperse rom there saying that I will help the child to
get back to his parents. I went close to the child, talked with him and started to calm him down.
Whole talking to him, I could not control my emotions. I was getting emotionally overwhelmed.
I did not know hpw to control my tears. I could imagine myself at the situation of the child. I
decided to be empathetic towards the child. The child was in need of care, affection, love and
empathy.
I felt that there are situations where the person is not in need of mere sympathy but what he or
she needs is empathy. I felt that the child was very cold and hungry. I assured him that I will help
him out in this tough siyuatyion. I was having my first salary with me at that time. I thought of
saving that money for buying myself a smart phone. However I kept aside that need. I thoight
that if I wpork hard I will be able to get the money gain in life. I will get severalm chances to
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earn the money. However if I cannot deliver the child to his parents safely today, then his parents
will never again be able to get back their child. I took the child to a nearby clinic, bought him
some warm clothes. I made him get the primary treatment for his wounds and also bought him
some food. After realizing that the child was now at ease and was out of fear I slowly started
asking him about his address and about his family. I took him to the police station.
Attitude: Luckily I found that the parents of the child were waiting at the police station itself.
Both the child and his parents were delighed to get back to each other. I was higly moved at this
situation and was having a feeling of accomplishment and happiness. I became emotional at this
point and really had an inner piece and was feeling proud on my decision.I really felt very happy
after being able to deliver the child safely to his parents. I also got this lesson that owing to myt
emotional nature if I ever face the same kind of situation in the near future, I will perhap take the
same stand. In other words, I will never be able to give more priority to my office over helping
someone who is in a helpless condition and is in the dire need of my help. However I have taken
this lesson from this experience that I will be more active during such situations and will stop
suffering from any kinds of dilemmas.
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