Sympathy differs from empathy in the following ways:
With sympathy, the helper:
Helps within his/her comfort zone
Makes a cursory judgment of the person's needs
Often will get upset when it is explicitly revealed that their help is misguided or unwelcome (after a long buildup)
May feel as if he or she is the 'mentor', or the 'superior'
With empathy, the helper:
Relates to the person on a personal basis
Forms a deep emotional bond with the person on many levels
Learns to see the situation from the person's perspective
Sees the person more as an equal, and 'walks in their shoes'.
The two should not be confused. More often than not, sympathy is the form of 'caring' that is given to those in need, and can be quite misguided, especially in dire situations that most are not used to dealing with. Most therapists, teachers, and unfortunately parents will often give this kind of 'help' to a troubled or very upset person. However, if they were willing to step outside their comfort zones, they could learn how to relate effectively.
Despite these huge differences, many indeed DO confuse the two.
With sympathy, the helper:
Helps within his/her comfort zone
Makes a cursory judgment of the person's needs
Often will get upset when it is explicitly revealed that their help is misguided or unwelcome (after a long buildup)
May feel as if he or she is the 'mentor', or the 'superior'
With empathy, the helper:
Relates to the person on a personal basis
Forms a deep emotional bond with the person on many levels
Learns to see the situation from the person's perspective
Sees the person more as an equal, and 'walks in their shoes'.
The two should not be confused. More often than not, sympathy is the form of 'caring' that is given to those in need, and can be quite misguided, especially in dire situations that most are not used to dealing with. Most therapists, teachers, and unfortunately parents will often give this kind of 'help' to a troubled or very upset person. However, if they were willing to step outside their comfort zones, they could learn how to relate effectively.
Despite these huge differences, many indeed DO confuse the two.
by Shadow Creator December 6, 2007
Get the sympathy mug."Sempak" is an indonesian word that means "underwear" but people in indonesia use this word as a swearing word that means "shit" or "damn".
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Someone who insists on expounding every detail about every issue in their life every time they see you in hopes you'll feel bad for them. Somehow these people always have a lot of terrible things happen to them. Even though you do feel bad for them, you get tired of hearing about it.
Andrew cornered me in the hall and updated me on his sister's crippling car crash, his mother's botched dialysis, his divorce, and how his cat died last week, even though he just told me yesterday. He's such a sympathy whore.
by ViviWannabe June 27, 2009
Get the Sympathy whore mug.by Centro Americo September 27, 2008
Get the Sampar mug.Like anglers hunting for fish, these sad sacks cast out their hooks -- baited with vague tales of woe -- in the hopes of landing concerned responses. Genuine bad news is one thing, but these manipulative posts are just pleas for attention.
The Sympathy Baiter. "Barbara is feeling sad today." "Man, am I glad that's over." "Jim could really use some good news about now."
by aliboi2232 December 14, 2009
Get the Sympathy baiter mug.Having sex with someone as you feel sorry for them. Typically used when either instigator has just left a relationship.
by Monty Bob July 23, 2007
Get the sympathy throwdown mug."Oh my goodness, I was talking to my simpai in the halls the other day and he totally asked for feet pics!"
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