Understanding Empathy vs. Sympathy: What’s the Difference?

In this article:

Empathy and sympathy go to the core of what it means to be human.
We are a social and highly cooperative animal that depends on close bonds within families and communities (Warneken & Tomasello, 2006).
None of this would be possible without empathy and sympathy, so much so that we might barely notice them most of the time, like the proverbial fish who does not know that it is wet.
But when we reflect on these powerful forces in our lives, we might notice the subtle differences between them and consider the differing characteristics and roles of empathy vs. sympathy.
Before you continue, we thought you might like to download our three Emotional Intelligence Exercises for free. These science-based exercises will enhance your ability to understand and work with your emotions and will also give you the tools to foster the emotional intelligence of your clients, students, or employees.

Recent Posts

All

Cultivating Emotional Literacy in Adults

July 1, 2024

Emotional literacy, the ability to understand, express, and manage emotions effectively, is...

Read More

Treating Phobias With Positive Psychology: 15 Approaches

June 28, 2024

Phobophobia is a fear of phobias. That is just one in our...

Read More

How to Keep a Healthy Mind While Aging: 8 Easy Strategies

June 26, 2024

With 1 in 5 people likely to be over 60 by 2050...

Read More

Understanding Empathy vs. Sympathy: What’s the Difference?

June 24, 2024

Empathy and sympathy go to the core of what it means to...

Read More

How to Encourage Clients to Embrace Change

June 21, 2024

Many of us struggle with change, especially when it’s imposed upon us...

Read More

How to Fuel Positive Change by Leveraging Episodic Memory

June 17, 2024

Some researchers believe that our memory didn’t evolve for us to only...

Read More

Subscribe to our Newsletter

Share this post with your friends

Leave a Comment

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *