The compassion process is highly related to identifying with the other person because sympathizing with others is possible among people from other countries , cultures , locations , etc . A possible source of this process of identifying with others comes from a universal category called " Spirit . " Toward the late 1970s , very different cultures and nations around the world took a turn to religious fundamentalism , which has occasionally been attributed to " Spirit " . The role of compassion as a factor contributing to individual or societal behavior has been the topic of continuous debate . In contrast to the process of identifying with other people , a complete absence of compassion may require ignoring or disapproving identification with other people or groups . Earlier studies established the links between interpersonal violence and cruelty which leads to indifference . This concept has been illustrated throughout history : The Holocaust , Genocide , European colonization of the Americas , etc . The seemingly essential step in these atrocities could be the definition of the victims as " not human " or " not us . " The atrocities committed throughout human history have only been relieved through the presence of compassion
The Holocaust
The Holocaust
Compassion