How empathetic are you?

The Empathy Quotient (EQ) is a 60-item questionnaire designed to measure empathy in adults. The test was developed by Simon Baron-Cohen at ARC (the Autism Research Centre) at the University of Cambridge.
Clinically, the empathy measurements provided by the EQ are used by mental health professionals in assessing the level of social impairment in certain disorders like Autism. However, since levels of empathy vary significantly between individuals, even between those without any mental health disorders, it is also suitable for use as a casual measure of temperamental empathy by and for the general population.

https://psychology-tools.com/test/empathy-quotient

This page is a permanent link to the reply below and its nested replies. See all post replies »

Pseudonym · 26-30, M

I found it very difficult to answer many of those questions.

I got 36/80, which doesn't surprise me.

To be honest I wouldn't say I empathise strongly, because I associate empathy with feeling what the another person feels. For me however, it is a very conscious analytical experience. I don't feel particularly strongly, in the way that many people do. But I would say that I usually have an excellent understanding of how somebody else is feeling.

And yet I've done some terribly selfish things in the past, despite fully understanding how it would make somebody feel. I think in that way, my actions are far more inexcusable, because I know what I'm doing is wrong and yet I still choose to do it.

The irony is that it doesn't stop me feeling guilty. I feel immense guilt and shame for my past mistakes. And I'm caught in a limbo trying to accept myself, flaws and all, and trying to be the person I wish I naturally was.

When it comes to empathy I think I'm a bag of oxymorons. 😕

LucyFuhr · 56-60, F

@Pseudonym I appreciate the honestly and self awareness in your answer!