Cognitive Empathy and Emotional Empathy in Human

Behavior and EvolutionJenn Hoy, Taylor Biegler, and Nicole Wong

Dr. MillsPSYC 452

Smith, Adam. (2006). Cognitive Empathy and Emotional Empathy in Human Behavior and Evolution. The Psychological Record,, 56.1, 3-21.

Smith, Adam. (2006). Cognitive Empathy and Emotional Empathy in Human Behavior and Evolution. The Psychological Record,, 56.1, 3-21.

What is Empathy?

Sensitivity to and understanding of the mental states of others

Evolutionary Function: https

://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GH71sFZgkbI

Refers to two related human abilities: Cognitive Empathy (CE) and

Emotional Empathy (EE)

Empathy

EE

CE

Smith, Adam. (2006). Cognitive Empathy and Emotional Empathy in Human Behavior and Evolution. The Psychological Record,, 56.1, 3-21.

Important for social functioningPredict behaviorsCommunicate effectivelyBetter nurturing of kinManipulate behaviorDetect lies

Cognitive Empathy (CE)Mental perspective taking

Smith, Adam. (2006). Cognitive Empathy and Emotional Empathy in Human Behavior and Evolution. The Psychological Record,, 56.1, 3-21.

Altruistic behavior and moral development

Early development

Emotional Empathy (EE)Vicarious sharing of emotion

Smith, Adam. (2006). Cognitive Empathy and Emotional Empathy in Human Behavior and Evolution. The Psychological Record,, 56.1, 3-21.

Empathy Imbalances

Emotional empathy

deficit disorder (EEDD)

General empathy surfeit

disorder (GESD)

General empathy

deficit disorder (GEDD)

Cognitive empathy

deficit disorder (CEDD)

EE

CE

Smith, Adam. (2006). Cognitive Empathy and Emotional Empathy in Human Behavior and Evolution. The Psychological Record,, 56.1, 3-21.

Empathy Imbalances Applied to Psychopathology

Autism

CE

Williams Syndrom

eAPD

Schizoid Personali

ty Disorder

EE

Smith, Adam. (2006). Cognitive Empathy and Emotional Empathy in Human Behavior and Evolution. The Psychological Record,, 56.1, 3-21.

1.The popular opinion: autistic individuals lack empathy• Reality: Lacking cognitive empathy but have an

abundance of emotional empathy

2.The prevalence of autism, schizoid, and antisocial personality disorder is more common among men than women. • Due to discrepancy

3.The observation of reactions to the emotional states of others• Personal gains or for prosocial efforts

Critical CommentsInteresting Points

Smith, Adam. (2006). Cognitive Empathy and Emotional Empathy in Human Behavior and Evolution. The Psychological Record,, 56.1, 3-21.

1. Argument on how empathy evolved lacks detail The argument is cited but does not provide enough concrete

information for the theory to be completely understood

2. Weak case that females tend to be more emotionally empathetic than males

Lacking evidence of sex difference in empathic ability and sensitivity

Contradicting data collected and not enough evidence to create a hypothesis

3. Hardly any mention of the possibility for empathy to be learned

Antisocial Personality Disorder – not addressed that individuals with this disorder can increase “permanently low EE sensitivity”

Questionable – Smith disregards information found in existing research suggesting that emotional empathy can be changed

Critical CommentsPoints of Disagreement

Smith, Adam. (2006). Cognitive Empathy and Emotional Empathy in Human Behavior and Evolution. The Psychological Record,, 56.1, 3-21.

Q & A