Meaning of Sympathy and Empathy, Causal Factors, and Examples of Attitudes

Kapanlagi.com - The terms sympathy and empathy are certainly not unfamiliar in daily conversations. These attitudes are necessary for humans in social life. So, what is the meaning of sympathy and empathy actually?

The meaning of sympathy is an attitude of participation in feeling other people's feelings. While empathy is a mental state that makes someone feel the same as others.

At first glance, the two terms look the same, KLovers? However, in fact, these two terms are different. If you want to know the meaning of sympathy and empathy along with the differences, please read the following information.

1. Meaning of Sympathy and Empathy

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Sympathy and empathy are important aspects of social life. It relates to the feeling of concern or solidarity with the problems faced by others. The meaning of sympathy and empathy is often considered the same, but there is a difference between the two. To distinguish them, let's first understand the meaning of both.

According to the Indonesian Dictionary (KBBI), the meaning of sympathy is a feeling of love; agreement (with); liking or participation in feeling the feelings (happy, sad, etc.) of others. According to Soerjono Soekanto, sympathy is a process in which a person feels attracted to others. This process requires understanding between both parties.

Meanwhile, the meaning of empathy is a mental state that makes a person feel or identify themselves in the same emotional or mental state as others or a group. The difference between the two lies in the degree of feeling itself. If sympathy is considered shallow, empathy is deeper. In addition, sympathy is a response in the form of support, while empathy is understanding others.

2. Difference between Sympathy and Empathy

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In addition to the things mentioned above, there are also differences in the meaning of sympathy and empathy that you need to understand in the following information.

- Sympathy is Based on Similarity, Empathy is Based on Differences

Sympathy is often based on similarity, while empathy is based on differences. Someone may have experienced something similar and made them easily pitiful or concerned about what others are experiencing. They try to support each other, but are not involved further in solving the problem.

Meanwhile, empathy is usually based on differences. Someone will show empathy because they have not experienced the same thing when it happened to someone else. However, a person who empathizes will be able to feel what the other person is going through.

- Sympathy is Spontaneous, While Empathy Involves Several Factors

Sympathy is a spontaneous reaction. For example, when you hear someone is in trouble, you may only be able to offer condolences. This reaction is a spontaneous attitude and only shows that you sympathize with what is happening.

3. Characteristics and Causes of Sympathy

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After understanding the meaning of sympathy, it doesn't hurt to also learn about the characteristics and causes of sympathy in the following information.

1. Characteristics of Sympathy

- Someone's behavior that shows the ability to be a good listener to the condition of others.

- Someone's situation who is able to identify the feelings of others.

- Someone's behavior who often thinks about the feelings felt by others.

- Someone's condition who has concern for others who are experiencing certain problems.

2. Causes of Sympathy

- Paying Attention to Others

Seeing others who look anxious, scared, or happy can be a cause of sympathy. When a friend is sad, people will sympathize by trying to console them. They will also express condolences and sympathize because of the bad events that may have occurred.

- Others Who Need Attention

Someone's perception in seeing an event can also be a cause of sympathy. Usually, individuals or groups will tend to sympathize when they see others who need attention. For example, when someone is injured, you will respond by providing assistance. Either by giving medicine or taking them to the hospital. You can also find other examples when there is a child who falls in the park and others will help the child.

There are also children who receive little sympathy because they are considered naughty and difficult to warn. For example, when there is a child running around in a dangerous location, such as the edge of the road, but does not pay attention to the warnings that have been given.

4. Examples of Sympathetic Attitudes

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Not only the meaning of sympathy, but you also need to know examples of sympathetic attitudes that you can find every day. This can also be applied as a way to cultivate sympathy for others.

- Giving congratulations to others who have successfully completed their studies or tasks.

- Giving congratulations and attending the wedding of relatives or family.

- Giving condolences to others who have lost a loved one.

- Providing voluntary assistance to communities affected by natural disasters.

- Sharing valuable information with others through social media.

- Helping to maintain the safety and comfort of religious activities, both for the same religion and different religions.

Well, KLovers, that's an explanation of the meaning of sympathy and empathy, along with its causes.

(kpl/gen/ans)