Written by the Fiveable Content Team • Last updated September 2025
Verified for the 2026 exam
Verified for the 2026 exam•Written by the Fiveable Content Team • Last updated September 2025
Definition
A lack of empathy for others refers to the inability or difficulty in understanding and sharing the feelings, emotions, and perspectives of other people.
The ability to understand and share the feelings of others.
Emotional intelligence: The capacity to recognize, understand, and manage our own emotions as well as recognize, understand, and influence the emotions of others.
Theory of mind: The cognitive ability to attribute mental states (beliefs, intentions) to oneself and others in order to understand behavior.