Types of empathy and its manifestation

Empathy is not a unitary construct. It can manifest itself in different ways.

Two main types are distinguished: affective empathy, which relates to feeling the emotions of others, and cognitive empathy, which involves understanding their state of mind and perspective.

Both are important for effective social interaction.

Affective Empathy. Feeling with the Other

Affective empathy is the ability to experience or resonate with the emotional states of another person.

When we see someone suffering or feeling joy, affective empathy allows us, to a certain degree, to "catch" that emotion and feel something similar in our own body.

This emotional connection is critical for support and comfort.

Cognitive Empathy. Understanding the Perspective of Others

Cognitive empathy, also known as "Theory of Mind," is the ability to understand another person's emotions, thoughts, intentions and perspectives.

That is, to "put ourselves in their shoes" on an intellectual level. It involves understanding why someone feels a certain way, even if we do not share the same emotional reaction.

A cinematic example illustrates this idea: a shoemaker who has the ability to literally walk in other people's shoes and, in doing so, is able to understand their emotional states and perspectives.

Empathic Concern vs. Empathic Distress

The response to empathy can take two main paths: empathic concern and empathic distress.

Empathic concern describes people who, upon seeing others in a negative emotional or physical state, feel genuine concern and are motivated to help. This is the form of empathy that leads to prosocial behaviors.

On the other hand, empathic distress occurs when the person feels so overwhelmed by the suffering of others that he or she experiences significant personal discomfort, which may lead to avoidance or an inability to help effectively, ra