KT67 wrote:
Joe90 wrote:
The empathy s**t. Loads of Aspies here think NTs have 100% empathy in any given situation and Aspies have 0% empathy for others.
There could be a whole thread discussing agreeably to how most NTs feel empathy for those that have experienced the same as them as not so much for those that haven't, but then another thread pops up with the OP whining about how they only can feel empathy for those that have experienced the same as them and everyone agrees like "oh yes, autistics can only feel empathy for others experiencing the same as us".
Empathy this, empathy that, I wish the blessed word did not exist.
That's true of NTs though.
It's why they struggle to understand us.
The stereotype we lack empathy comes about cos we predict things based on our own experiences, just like they do. They're just the majority so it makes us look bad.
I hate the word though. I agree with you. Theory of Mind is better cos that's about 'putting oneself in another's shoes' which yes, empathy means that too but people mistake it for sympathy all the time.
I hate dogs but if someone tells me their dog died, I am going to feel sad for them. That's sympathy.
I prefer "social intuition" to describe "cognitive empathy". Like an NT could predict or know how someone may feel but still lack understanding of their feelings.
With emotional empathy, I think there isn't much difference to how NTs and non-NTs feel empathy. Non-NTs (such as Aspies) may have a harder time expressing it when appropriate. This does not mean Aspies lack empathy though.
I don't have much problems expressing empathy to others though. But occasionally I do if say if someone shows a picture of cute animals in a magazine I might be like "yeah, nice" while everyone else will be like "aawwwww, look at that, aaawwwwwww so cute!" It doesn't mean I don't like animals. I love animals. I have pets myself and I love other people's pets. I am always making a fuss of them. But I just don't do the "aaawwwwwwwww" thing.
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