Types of Empathy

There are three main levels of empathy.

Cognitive empathy, emotional (or affective) empathy and compassionate empathy.

Taking a moment out to get real

As we’ve established that I’m not a psychologist, let’s not dwell here. There are subgenres too so, yea…
Respect to the researchers that are dedicated to figuring this stuff out and helping us all. To me as a layperson with limited understanding, the categorization seems very nuanced for something that isn’t an exact science. I have learned that I can have a freer understanding by not nitpicking here and just apply some acceptance and common sense. Anyway…

Ruth

Let’s stick with the Ruth example, you’re out for a walk together and she tells you about her anxiety with regard to giving presentations at work recently.

Level 1 - cognitive empathy

You recognize her sadness and anxiety. You get it. You understand the array of emotions she’s going through by virtue of the fact that you feel. But crucially, your own emotional state hasn’t really changed.

Level 2 - emotional (affective) empathy

You get that pang. It hits you. Your emotional state has changed. Hence the name, you’re emotional state is affected by it.

Level 3 - compassionate empathy

You act or do something to help as a direct result of conjuring the feeling.

The pang

When you hear of a tragic accident, you don’t know the people involved but you get that pang. Sometimes you just want to switch off the TV. That’s still emotional empathy because your emotional state has changed.

The happy pang

I guess its easier to explain with pangs but obviously happy emotions are contagious too.

Tuning in

Again, you may be able to see here how actually taking some time to give a crap can move you from cognitive to affective empathy. There is an element of choice here. For some people, making that transition is natural and automatic. For others it’s considerably less so.