According to the lecture, which action is NOT recommended regarding empathy?

• A. Don't join in the person's behavior
• B. Do join in the person's behavior
• C. Don't humiliate the person
• D. Don't yell at the person

Answer: (A)

Empathy in this setting means meeting the youth where they are emotionally and showing you understand what they’re feeling. Not joining in is not the best move because staying distant can create a barrier between you and the person, making de-escalation and communication harder. When it’s safe to do so, engaging with their affect—mirroring their emotional state in a calm, respectful way—helps validate their experience, reduce defensiveness, and open a path for cooperation, without approving risky behavior. Humiliating or yelling would undermine trust, so they’re avoided, but the more effective empathetic approach is to connect with their feelings rather than remain detached.