empathy in psychology research

In psychology research, empathy refers to the ability to understand and share the feelings of others. It involves both recognizing emotions in others (cognitive empathy) and experiencing feelings similar to theirs (affective empathy). Researchers study empathy to understand how people connect, communicate, and respond to others’ emotional states. This research helps explain social behaviors, improve relationships, and develop mental health interventions. Essentially, empathy is about putting yourself in someone else’s shoes to better understand their experience, fostering compassion and social cohesion.