Which term describes identifying with the feelings of others?

Which term describes identifying with the feelings of others?

• A. Empathy
• B. Sympathy
• C. Compassion
• D. Altruism

Answer: (A)

Empathy is the ability to identify with and understand another person’s emotions. It means you not only hear what they’re feeling but also share in that emotional experience to some extent and respond in a way that fits what they’re going through. In geriatric care, this helps you connect with residents who are anxious, sad, or frightened by putting yourself in their place and acknowledging their feelings, which can ease distress and build trust. Sympathy is feeling concern or pity from a distance, without necessarily sharing the emotion. Compassion adds a wish to relieve suffering and often leads to actions to help. Altruism is acting selflessly to benefit others. So, describing identifying with others’ feelings best fits empathy.

Empathy is the ability to identify with and understand another person’s emotions. It means you not only hear what they’re feeling but also share in that emotional experience to some extent and respond in a way that fits what they’re going through. In geriatric care, this helps you connect with residents who are anxious, sad, or frightened by putting yourself in their place and acknowledging their feelings, which can ease distress and build trust. Sympathy is feeling concern or pity from a distance, without necessarily sharing the emotion. Compassion adds a wish to relieve suffering and often leads to actions to help. Altruism is acting selflessly to benefit others. So, describing identifying with others’ feelings best fits empathy.