Empathy Quotient

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I have that problem with the agree/disagree things; with tests like that I usually have to write them in order on a piece of paper to refer to, otherwise I'm constantly scrolling back up and killing my concentration.

14 for me.

I think I figured it out.

The word is compassion. It is instinctive. Either you have it, or you don’t. Most people simply do not have it, and all the crazy rules are an attempt to compensate.

It is an independent variable. It is not an Aspie trait or an NT trait, any more than IQ. It is just totally on its own.

I have it. I can care about a stranger. I can care about the helpless. I can see that something is wrong, just for its own sake. I do not need some complex, rational-selfishness excuse to do the right thing. I can just do it because it’s right.

The problem with that stupid empathy test is that the author does not possess compassion, and confuses it with communication and the ability to function in a mass hallucination that essentially condemns compassion. It just spins around in circles.

For example, you are the owner of a business. Something in the physical structure is broken and has created a dangerous situation. Some stranger is going to be killed if you don’t fix it. Why should you fix it? Why should you care? The correct answer is, “Because it’s a potential law suit.” Why does that make sense? Why does it even enter your mind? Why is there even a question, and why does it need such a stupid answer?

Rational selfishness gets the right answer (fix it) for the wrong reason (for my sake). It does not attempt to address morality or compassion. It attempts to mimic compassion out of necessity and selfishness.

Damn, I hate the world.

Your score: 11
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 must be a rude hardass

scored an 8 this time. I don't give much value to these quizzes, but they are fun to do.

10. 10? And I can't get a diagnosis?

I must say I expected to score higher. I do try to "get" NTs, but my lack of social skills often lets me down. I agree with alba and Tahitii in that this test is equating social skills with empathy, something that may hold true for NTs. It certainly doesn't apply to my situation!

12, yep, twelve.

I have scored 22, though I am certain that I will never be diagnosed with any autism spectrum disorder and it's simply that I'm the sort of guy who becomes a cataloging librarian.

The test seems to be unfalsifiable. Thus rubbish.

It would be interesting to try the one with the galvanic skin response plates and the slide-show of photographs of your mother, puppies, unremarkable scenes, neutral-faced strangers, smiling strangers, crying strangers, babies, people being attacked by aligators, mundane household objects, religous symbols, etc. This wouldn't inadvertantly measure social-skills and at least measures an actual response rather than an imagined one. It is also more like the one in Bladerunner.

I've taken this a number of times and almost always gotten a 4.

And it should really be lower because the only reason I wouldn't tell the truth if someone asked me what I thought of a new haircut is because I've basically been trained not to. It's not instinctual, I have to remember to do it.

My score is 23. Like others have posted, the test seems as much about social skills as it is about empathy. My empathy is probably on the low normal range, my social skills are lower than that. I am however very good at blocking empathy at will, for example if I think there's nothing I can do.

I have a hard time answering the questions on this quiz. It took me too much time so I didn't finish it.

First, the questions are too general. I have a difficult time coming up with an answer because depending on the specific situation, my answer changes. This goes back to Tahitiii's post of rational selfishness. For example, "I am at my best first thing in the morning." How did I sleep that night? Is it a weekday or weekend? Have I eaten breakfast yet? Did I drink the night before. My answer swings all directions.

Another example: "It doesn't bother me too much if I am late meeting a friend." What is this meeting about? Do I have any benefit from it? If by me being late, I make the meeting less enjoyable for me, I will be on time no matter what. If I have nothing to gain from this meeting, I will probably be late, if I show up at all. I am a very punctual person, but I am also the kind of person that refuses to waste my own time.

Second, I don't know whether to answer based on what my instinct is or what I will actually do. If I see someone hit by a car, I would like nothing more than to leave them there and avoid inconveniencing myself. But, I have been raised to do differently. I will stop and help that person because if I were hit by a car, I would hope that a person walking by would do the same.

My mom is a nurse. I have, on multiple occasions, seen her jump up and take action in helping someone before I even notice there's a problem.... people choking, passing out, etc. etc. She is simply that sort of "help everyone" person. A certain degree of that was drilled into my head as a child from her. I am an extremely selfish person by nature, but I have been trained to behave otherwise.

I scored a 43.

I'd say it's about on par. One point above average

1..... yes one....

I actually feel kind of like a bad person now.


Jeff

where is that test? the link?