Sympathy is an extension of empathic concern, or the perception, understanding, and reaction to the distress or need of another human being. This empathic concern is driven by a switch in viewpoint, from a personal perspective to the perspective of another group or individual who is in need. Empathy and sympathy are often used interchangeably, but the two terms have distinct origins and meanings. Empathy refers to the understanding and sharing of a specific emotional state with another person. Sympathy does not require the sharing of the same emotional state. Instead, sympathy is a concern for the well-being of another. Although sympathy may begin with empathizing with the same emotion another person is feeling, sympathy can be extended to other emotional states.
Read more about Sympathy: Origins and Causes, Communication, Human Behavior, Healthcare, Neuroscience Perspectives, Child Development, Evolutionary Origins
Famous quotes containing the word sympathy:
“Let’s holler and ask him if he won’t prescribe
For all humanity a complete rest
From all this wagery. But what’s the use
Of asking any sympathy of him?
That class of people don’t know what work is....”
—Robert Frost (1874–1963)
“Sympathy with joy intensifies the sum of sympathy in the world, sympathy with pain does not really diminish the amount of pain.”
—Oscar Wilde (1854–1900)
“Marriage must be a relation either of sympathy or of conquest.”
—George Eliot [Mary Ann (or Marian)