Empathy is the ability cognitively and emotionally to recognize
and understand the experience of another. Empathy contributes to healthy relationships. Empathy may be either situational (induced by social context) or dispositional (a personality trait or enduring pattern of behavior). And empathy may range from low to high levels (Sutton, 2020, October 28).
Sutton, G. W. (2020, October 28). Empathy-cognitive and emotional. Psychology concepts and Theories. https://suttonpsychology.blogspot.com/2020/10/empathy-cognitive-and-emotional.html
Updated 2025, August 10)
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Cognitive empathy is the range of ability to understand the perspective (perspective taking) of another person and may be present with a high to low range of emotional empathy.
Emotional empathy is the range of ability to feel what
another person feels.
Neuropsychological studies have identified brain areas related to empathy including the motor mirror system. See the APS Observer 2018.
In the SCOPES model of assessment and functioning, C (cognition) and E (emotion) should both be assessed regarding empathy. The O (Observable Behavior ) domain may reveal altruistic behavior on the part of caregivers.
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In This Post About Empathy
Differences in definitions
Positive aspects of empathy
The downside of empathy
Examples of empathy in professions
Empathy and burnout
Empathy and psychopathy
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Differences in definitions of empathy:
1. Some writers do not include the two components of cognitive and emotional empathy.
2. Some write as if empathy and its components are either or--that is, a person has or does not have empathy.
However, in psychology, many traits like empathy vary in degree such that a person may range from high to low on empathy or its components of cognitive and emotional empathy.
Empathy has also been studied in animals.
Positive Aspects of Empathy
Strengthened Relationships: Empathy helps build trust and fosters deeper connections by allowing individuals to understand and support one another emotionally.
Enhanced Communication: By listening and putting oneself in another’s shoes, empathy improves understanding and reduces conflicts.
Improved Social Cohesion: Societies thrive when people care for and help each other, leading to stronger, more harmonious communities.
Better Mental Health: Showing empathy can enhance one’s sense of purpose and belonging, which is linked to improved mental well-being.
Boosts Prosocial Behavior: Empathy inspires acts of kindness, generosity, and cooperation, making people more inclined to help others.
Emotional Intelligence: Practicing empathy can enhance emotional intelligence, improving one’s ability to navigate complex social interactions.
Leadership and Teamwork: Empathy is essential for effective leadership, as it helps in understanding team members’ needs and fostering a collaborative environment.
Conflict Resolution: Empathy plays a crucial role in resolving disputes by helping parties understand and address each other’s perspectives.
Examples of Empathy
Example 1: A person high in psychopathy may have high cognitive empathy enabling the person to understand the thinking or viewpoint of another, but also be low in emotional empathy, which can lead to taking advantage of another person without an awareness of their feelings.
Example 2: A downside of high emotional empathy is that it can lead to personal distress. This has been called emotional contagion in some research reports.
The Downside of Empathy
Psychological research highlights several potential downsides of empathy:
Emotional Exhaustion: Empathy can be mentally and emotionally draining, especially when individuals are exposed to others' suffering for extended periods. This is often referred to as compassion fatigue and burnout.
Impaired Judgment: Excessive empathy might cloud decision-making, leading to biased or less rational choices. For instance, focusing too much on one person's needs might result in neglecting others.
Empathy as a Finite Resource: Studies suggest that empathy is limited; the more we invest in one person or group, the less we might have for others. This can create challenges in balancing emotional resources.
Over-identification: Empathy can sometimes lead to over-identifying with others' emotions, making it difficult to maintain personal boundaries and objectivity. Empathy can result in vicarious traumatization, where individuals internalize the trauma of others. This is particularly prevalent among therapists, social workers, and humanitarian aid workers (Figley, 1995).
Empathy-Induced Bias: Empathy can also lead to ingroup favoritism and moral parochialism, where concern is disproportionately directed toward those perceived as similar, potentially undermining impartial justice (Behler, 2023, March 13).
Exploitation and Manipulation: Empathic individuals may be more vulnerable to emotional manipulation or exploitation, especially in interpersonal relationships where empathy is weaponized by narcissistic or abusive individuals (e.g., di Giacomo et al., 2023). Dutton (2013) describes ways psychopaths who have high cognitive empathy can manipulate vulnerable people.
Empathy is a Vital Skill in Many Professions--For Example:
Healthcare Professionals: Doctors, nurses, therapists, and caregivers need empathy to understand and support patients emotionally, as well as provide compassionate care.
Teachers and Educators: Empathy helps educators connect with students, understand their challenges, and foster a supportive learning environment.
Social Workers: Empathy is essential for helping vulnerable populations navigate difficult situations and access necessary resources.
Counselors and Psychologists: These professionals rely on empathy to listen, validate feelings, and guide clients through emotional or mental health issues.
Customer Service Representatives: Empathy helps address customers' concerns effectively, ensuring their needs are met with understanding and patience.
Human Resources Professionals: HR personnel use empathy to mediate workplace conflicts, support employees, and promote a positive work environment.
Nonprofit and Charity Workers: Empathy drives efforts to assist those in need and advocate for social change.
Leaders and Managers: Empathetic leaders build trust, foster collaboration, and inspire their teams to achieve shared goals.
Artists and Writers: Empathy allows creative professionals to explore diverse perspectives and convey deep, relatable emotions in their work.
Mediators: In professions like family law or mediation, empathy aids in understanding clients' perspectives and resolving conflicts sensitively.
Empathy and Burnout- The Importance of Balance and Boundaries
Empathy and burnout share a complex relationship, particularly in professions that demand high emotional engagement, such as healthcare, education, and social work. Here's what research suggests:
Negative Correlation: Empathy, especially cognitive empathy (understanding others' emotions without deeply sharing them), is often negatively associated with burnout. It can enhance personal accomplishment and reduce emotional exhaustion.
Risk of Emotional Exhaustion: High levels of affective empathy (deeply feeling others' emotions) can lead to emotional exhaustion, a key component of burnout. This is because constantly absorbing others' distress can deplete emotional resources.
Balancing Act: While empathy can protect against burnout by fostering meaningful connections and a sense of purpose, excessive empathy without proper boundaries may increase vulnerability to stress and fatigue.
Profession-Specific Dynamics: In fields like nursing or counseling, empathy is crucial for effective care but also a significant factor in burnout due to continuous exposure to others' suffering.
Empathy and Psychopathy
Potential for Intervention: Some studies propose that understanding the neural and cognitive mechanisms of empathy in psychopathy could guide personalized treatment interventions aimed at reducing harmful behaviors.
Concepts: Cognitive empathy, Emotional Empathy Emotional contagion
Related concepts: perspective taking, social roles, role playing
References
Behler, A. M. (2023, March 13). Can empathy actually be harmful? SPSP. https://spsp.org/news/character-and-context-blog/behler-parochial-empathy
Burton, B., & Saleh, F. M. (2020). Psychopathy and empathy: Insights from neuroscience. Psychiatric Times, 37(10). Retrieved from Psychiatric Times.
Cairns, P., Isham, A.E. & Zachariae, R. The association between empathy and burnout in medical students: a systematic review and meta-analysis. BMC Med Educ 24, 640 (2024). https://doi.org/10.1186/s12909-024-05625-6DeAngelis, T. (2022, March 1). A broader view of psychopathy. Monitor on Psychology, 53(2). Retrieved from American Psychological Association.
di Giacomo E, Andreini E, Lorusso O and Clerici M (2023) The dark side of empathy in narcissistic personality disorder. Front. Psychiatry 14:1074558. doi: 10.3389/fpsyt.2023.1074558
Dutton, K. (2013). The wisdom of psychopaths: What saints, spies, and serial killers can teach us about success. Farrar, Straus and Giroux.
Figley, C. R. (1995). Compassion fatigue: Coping with secondary traumatic stress disorder in those who treat the traumatized. Brunner/Mazel.
Konrath, S., & Grynberg, D. (2013). The positive (and negative) psychology of empathy. In D. Watt & J. Panksepp (Eds.), The neurobiology and psychology of empathy . Nova Science Publishers, Inc.
van Dongen, J. D. M. (2020). The empathic brain of psychopaths: From social science to neuroscience in empathy. Frontiers in Psychology, 11, Article 695. https://doi.org/10.3389/fpsyg.2020.00695
Post Author
Geoffrey W. Sutton, Professor Emeritus of Psychology at Evangel University, holds a master’s degree in counseling and a PhD in psychology from the University of Missouri-Columbia. His postdoctoral work encompassed education and supervision in forensic and neuropsychology. As a licensed psychologist, he conducted clinical and neuropsychological evaluations and provided psychotherapy for patients in various settings, including schools, hospitals, and private offices. During his tenure as a professor, Dr. Sutton taught courses on psychotherapy, assessment, and research. He has authored over one hundred publications, including books, book chapters, and articles in peer-reviewed psychology journals. His website is https://suttong.com
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