Which term describes the ability to understand and share the feelings of another?

Which term describes the ability to understand and share the feelings of another?

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

Answer: (D)

Understanding and sharing another person's feelings is empathy. Empathy means you can put yourself in someone else’s shoes—recognizing what they’re feeling and, to some degree, actually feeling it with them. It goes beyond simply noticing their emotion (which could be sympathy) or wanting to help because you care (which is closer to compassion). Indifference would be a lack of concern altogether. For example, if a friend is upset after a tough day, empathy is feeling their sadness with them and understanding why they feel that way, which is what makes empathy the best fit here.

Understanding and sharing another person's feelings is empathy. Empathy means you can put yourself in someone else’s shoes—recognizing what they’re feeling and, to some degree, actually feeling it with them. It goes beyond simply noticing their emotion (which could be sympathy) or wanting to help because you care (which is closer to compassion). Indifference would be a lack of concern altogether. For example, if a friend is upset after a tough day, empathy is feeling their sadness with them and understanding why they feel that way, which is what makes empathy the best fit here.