2007-06-07 23:33:19 · 11 answers · asked by smasher 1 in Social Science ➔ Psychology
Sympathy is objective , empathy subjective, i.e. you have been through it, the same situation or sufferring, empathy means you can talk from experience.
2007-06-07 23:37:03 · answer #1 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Empathy indicates a connection, as sharing ones pain. You could have empathy with a sibling if your parents die. Twins are said to share an empathic connection; whereas, one gets hurt the other also feels it.
Sympathy is simply feeling sorry for someones pain or loss. You are not being directly effect by the pain or loss but you are connected to the person and feel pain or sorrow because of that connection.
2007-06-08 06:39:34 · answer #2 · answered by ? 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
From what i understand, sympathy is only feeling sorry or having pity for someone whereas empathy includes being able to identify/relate with that persons feelings of sorrow etc.
2007-06-08 06:43:08 · answer #3 · answered by Shaun G 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Empathy is the ability to really feel and understand what another person is going through. It's like putting yourself in their shoes and feeling the emotion they are experiencing. Sympathy is feeling sorry or sad for another person and what they are going through.
2007-06-08 06:43:17 · answer #4 · answered by vanhammer 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
empathy is when you actually know how someone is feeling, sympathy is when you can only imagine/guess at what they feel. ie. you could have sympathy for the mccann family but unless you had a missing child you could not have empathy.
2007-06-08 06:37:25 · answer #5 · answered by ginger 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Well, in plain and simple words, sympathy is when you feel sorry for them and express your concern for them but empathy is when you put yourself in someone else's shoes.
2007-06-09 08:03:37 · answer #6 · answered by sweet_angel92 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
empathy is a understanding of someones situation.If you had your purse snatched and you met someone who also had thier purse snatched you could understand this person as you have suffered the same
sympathy is simular as you do feel sorry for the person but you might not fully understand as you have not suffered the same
2007-06-08 06:40:18 · answer #7 · answered by zombie_punk_princess 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
If you empathise you seek to understand why they are hurt, asking them how they feel a certain way and why, for instance. You listen to them.
Sympathy is merely voicing concern for their pain, often telling them similar things that have happened to you - thus you listen less.
Sympathy is less helpful.
2007-06-08 06:38:34 · answer #8 · answered by Nexus6 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
sympathy=you feel sorry for someone.
empathy=you put your self in their shoes so you can relate to what they are feeling.
2007-06-08 06:40:06 · answer #9 · answered by Ste B 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
the dictionary knows ;)
2007-06-08 06:35:58 · answer #10 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋