How Empathetic Are You?

This is a quiz but I thought as it deals with something scientific and psychological it would be better suited here.

I read an article in New Humanist magazine the other day about the definition of evil in a person. He made the claim that being evil is to have a severe lack of empathy and should be treated as more of a medical symptom rather than anything else.

The article is here if you're interested:
new humanist

Here's the empathy test as well, it would be interesting to see where everyone falls on the scale.

empathy test

Interestingly, I scored 29 which is only just above those with autism and Asperger's on the scale. But due to the way in which the questions are formulated I'm not sure how valid a reading this provides.

Anyway, where do you fall on the scale and what do you think of the article?

Nobody find that article interesting then?

Very interesting but I felt that it repeated itself a bit, I think there could be better questions or ways to ask them.

Your score: 52
0 - 32 = low (most people with Asperger Syndrome or high-functioning autism score about 20)
33 - 52 = average (most women score about 47 and most men score about 42)
53 - 63 is above average
64 - 80 is very high
80 is maximum

wow... I scored a 28. should I be concerned? lol

i scored 45.

i didn't read the article.

for people who got a low score, do you find the big bang theory funny ?

I love The Big Bang Theory actually, Sheldon is brilliant

why would I find the creation of our universe funny?

weird that you should mention sheldon. a podcast that i listen to was having a proper go at big bang theory a couple of weeks ago saying it was s*** and all that but they got a reply from a few folk with asperger's saying that it was the best show ever and that they couldn't really explain why they found sheldon so funny but he was finally someone on television that they could relate to.

Your score: 66
0 - 32 = low (most people with Asperger Syndrome or high-functioning autism score about 20)
33 - 52 = average (most women score about 47 and most men score about 42)
53 - 63 is above average
64 - 80 is very high
80 is maximum

Your score: 48
0 - 32 = low (most people with Asperger Syndrome or high-functioning autism score about 20)
33 - 52 = average (most women score about 47 and most men score about 42)
53 - 63 is above average
64 - 80 is very high
80 is maximum

Tests are merely a tool of general measurements, not exacts. Problems arise more so from extremes rather than any score that falls within a set scale. I'm not saying this test is meaningless it's just not as...help full, so to speak as a wider approach to what this is trying to measure.

That's a looooooooong article. I did try to focus on the parts about "re-branding" evil as a lack of empathy and I think this is just a theory based on personal opinion that may or may not appeal to the rest of the psychological community. It's too soon to tell I think and it seem to be leaning towards philosophical debate rather than a study of behavior.

I personally don't find his...point of view... all that intriguing. I think it may in fact set a dangerous precedent if we were to treat "evil" as more of a medical symptom.

Your score: 68
0 - 32 = low (most people with Asperger Syndrome or high-functioning autism score about 20)
33 - 52 = average (most women score about 47 and most men score about 42)
53 - 63 is above average
64 - 80 is very high
80 is maximum

to be fair, i am a trainee counsellor so I was hoping it would be a realtively high score!

Your score: 48
0 - 32 = low (most people with Asperger Syndrome or high-functioning autism score about 20)
33 - 52 = average (most women score about 47 and most men score about 42)
53 - 63 is above average
64 - 80 is very high
80 is maximum

me too, i called a pet after him

Your score: 53
0 - 32 = low (most people with Asperger Syndrome or high-functioning autism score about 20)
33 - 52 = average (most women score about 47 and most men score about 42)
53 - 63 is above average
64 - 80 is very high
80 is maximum

I'm not really sure what tests like this accomplish other than identify those that have problems.

You're too low to where you think killing people is like eating a hot dog. Or you're too high to where your emotions get the better of you and you lose your logic and rationale.