Which response is the most empathetic?
Imagine you are trying to empathize with someone who feels upset. Which of the following responses do you think would be the most empathetic? Choose one of the responses below, and click to see what the world of psychology has to say:
Click on your answer:
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This isn’t the most empathetic response. Asking a question (especially a close-ended one like this) puts a demand on the speaker and can close down a conversation.
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This may seem right, but notice how it’s focused on you (“I can tell…”). Truly empathetic responses focus on the other person more than yourself.
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That’s right! This is a great way to respond with empathy. It acknowledges the emotion that you’re perceiving, and it lets the speaker either confirm you’re reading them right, or clarify by saying more. Well done!
Now, could any of these responses be interpreted positively? Of course. However, given what we know about perceptions, one of these is particularly adept at observing the person’s emotion, acknowledging without judging it, and leaving space for the other person to either confirm or elaborate further, without placing any demands on them to respond—empathy at its finest!
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