By having empathy for others, you are a more respectful and kind person, but it goes beyond that, because there are three different types of empathy that you can have, and not everyone looks or feels the same.
What are the 3 types of empathy?
The 3 types of empathy are cognitive empathy, emotional empathy, and compassionate empathy. Each different type manifests in its own way.
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However, even if you demonstrate one or more types of empathy, you can still seem indifferent at times.
Showing empathy takes time and effort, and it’s usually about learning the different types of empathy and when to use each one.
Empathy is important because you can use your shared experiences and imagine what it’s like to be in a particular situation, even if you’ve never been and may never be in the future.
Ultimately, this helps you to be successful in connecting with and helping others.
1. Cognitive empathy
Cognitive empathy is the type of empathy in which you put yourself in someone else’s shoes. It has to do with thought, understanding and intellect.
Cognitive empathy allows you to empathize with another person by being able to understand what they are feeling through shared experiences.
Cognitive Empathy Example: When your roommate comes home and her boyfriend just broke up with her, you let her know that you’ve been there and can understand what she’s going through, helping her feel less alone.
pros: Cognitive empathy makes you a better communicator because it is based on information that, in a certain way, connects better with the other person.
Cons: Cognitive empathy is said to be empathy for thought but not for feeling. This means that it is about feeling empathy when there is no sympathy to go with it.
How to Practice and Develop Cognitive Empathy – To practice cognitive empathy, the next time you meet someone new, before engaging with them, consider what you know or don’t know about them. Be willing to learn more while participating in a conversation.
When you talk to this person, be aware that you will have an unconscious bias in interpreting their mood or behavior, and be aware of how they respond to you, verbally and physically.
2. Emotional empathy
Emotional empathy is when you physically feel another person’s emotions alongside them. It has to do with feelings, physical sensations, and mirror neurons in the brain.
Emotional empathy example: You would use emotional empathy when crying with others at a wedding or feeling a visceral human response when you see someone fall off a bike.
pros: This is a very important type of empathy because we can respond to and even comfort our friends and family when they are going through something. By doing so, you build close interpersonal relationships.
Cons: With emotional empathy, you could end up with emotional overload. If you get very overwhelmed, practice self-control when using emotional empathy so you can better manage your own emotions.
How to practice and develop emotional empathy: When a friend, family member, or partner tells you about a personal situation or struggle, try not to judge them.
Instead, focus on how and why this person is feeling this way. Then ask yourself how she can help and relate to what you are going through.
3. Compassionate empathy
Compassionate empathy is about finding the right balance between logic and emotion.
Compassionate empathy deals with intellect, emotion, and action. It is what we typically understand as having empathy for others, as feeling someone’s pain and taking action.
Example of emotional empathy: When you see someone on the street asking for money, food or help, you immediately walk towards them. This may include offering them help or giving them a shoulder to cry on.
pros: Compassionate empathy is the kind of empathy everyone should strive for. It is what we mean by having compassion for others and caring to help solve their problems.
Cons: This is the type of empathy that most people want, but is difficult for some to practice. You need to fully understand and sympathize with other people, while also taking steps to help them.
How to practice and develop compassionate empathy: When you directly ask another person what you can do to help them, that is practicing compassionate empathy; if they don’t want you to help, ask yourself why.
Remember that whatever has worked for you in the past in your situation or for others may not work for them.