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Same word, different meanings
Different Words, Same meaning
Most articles and books about empathy begin by claiming that there is far from a consensus on how empathy is to be defined. For instance, according to Coplan [1], “a longstanding problem with the study of empathy is the lack of a clear and agreed upon definition” (p. 40). Engelen and Röttger-Rössler [2] argued that “almost anybody writing in the field would declare that there is no accepted standard definition of empathy” (p. 3). De Vignemont and Singer [3] stated that “there are probably nearly as many definitions of empathy as people working on the topic” (p. 435).
Toward a consensus on the nature of empathy: A review of reviews.
Jakob Håkansson Eklund a , Martina Summer Meranius
"The inconsistency with which empathy has been defined has been rightfully criticized (Hall & Schwartz, 2019), but many researchers think empathy involves sharing someone’s emotion (an emotional process), taking someone’s perspective (a cognitive process), and feeling compassionate and wanting to help (a motivational process). There is no consensus about whether these components—emotion sharing, perspective taking, and compassion—are distinct or different sides of the same empathy construct (Zaki, 2014). There is evidence that they can be differentiated (Winter et al., 2017). However, these components may be tightly intertwined for most people, even if they are technically dissociable (Fiske, 2009; Zaki & Ochsner, 2012). The lack of clarity around whether the components of empathy co-occur contributes to the general confusion about how to define empathy (Batson, 2009; Cuff et al., 2014). Unfortunately, few studies have actually examined empathy in daily life to test the perceived co-occurrence of emotion sharing, perspective taking, and compassion. " Gregory John Depow etal
"The inconsistent definition of empathy has had a negative impact on both research and practice. The aim of this article is to review and critically appraise a range of definitions of empathy and, through considered analysis, to develop a new conceptualisation." Benjamin Cuff, et al
As a term like empathy becomes popular and used a lot in the culture, people start using it to mean other things. they like something, they sympathize with someone, they support someone, they agree with someone.
"‘empathy’ is an umbrella term that involves many different (and sometimes opposing) components," source
Different definitions in different disciplines
In humanistic–existential psychology, the practice of empathy is located in the body as a “resonance chamber” (Hart & Ingle, 2019, p. 6).
psychology
neuroscience
social scientists.
Makes it difficult for research.
When I read about empathy I don't know what they are referring to.
there is a collection of related phenomena
researchers are looking for a meta definition
"Empathy has often been conceptualised as consisting of two primary features: cognitive empathy, defined as the ability to recognise and understand another’s experience, to communicate and confirm that understanding with the other person, and to take effective action to then act appropriately in a helpful manner, and affective empathy, defined as emotional resonance." (Decety et al., 2014, p. 233).
The definition changes over time
Empathy Is not one phenomena but multiple distinct but related phenomena
Different disciplines have different definitions (medicine, philosophy, psychology, counselling, neuroscience, etc)
Each phenomena can be called something else beside empathy
ie. 'empathic concern' can be called 'sympathy.'
'empathic distress' is called 'personal distress'.
The phenomena can be canceling each other out.
'empathic distress'/sympathy can block empathy
'empathic distress' can block empathy
There is no consensus by academics or the general publc
Solutions to the definition Problem
When you start using the word empathy, be very clear on how you are defining it, and stay consistent.
Create a map of the constellations of how empathy is defined. They have a reference back to how you are using the word.
create very accessible definitions with examples that anyone can understand
Empathy: A Review of the Concept
The inconsistent definition of empathy has had a negative impact on both research and practice. The aim of this article is to review and critically appraise a range of definitions of empathy and, through considered analysis, to develop a new conceptualisation.
What Is Empathy, and Can Empathy Be Taught?
"Empathy is a commonly used, but poorly understood, concept. It is often confused with related concepts such as
sympathy,
pity,
identification, and
self-transposal. "
Sympathy
"When you feel joyful with me over my success, you are in sympathy with me"
"In a sense, we stand side-by-side sharing a common feeling related to something that happened in the past or is happening outside of us now. "
"Pity is described as a form of sympathy, a kind of sympathetic sorrow, but the side-by-side, shared nature of sympathy is replaced with a position of superior/inferior"
"Identification is an interpersonal process wherein the self aligns or orients itself closely to another person (for example, a mentor) or group (members of a certain religion, or political party, or a country club) with a resulting strong emotional tie. "
"Self transposal is the phenomenon most commonly thought of as empathy. It is the process whereby I "think" myself into the place (or shoes) of another person."
"Students of empathy can seem a cantankerous lot. Although they typically agree that empathy is important, they often disagree about why it is important, about what effects it has, about where it comes from, and even about what it is. The term empathy is currently applied to more than a half-dozen phenomena.
These phenomena are related to one another, but they are not elements, aspects, facets, or components of a single thing that is empathy, as one might say that an attitude has cognitive, affective, and behavioral components. Rather, each is a conceptually distinct, stand-alone psychological state. Further, each of those states has been called by names other than empathy. Opportunities for disagreement abound. "
C. Daniel Batson
These Things Called Empathy: Eight Related but Distinct Phenomena,
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