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Empathy

Empathy

Some researchers suggest that altruism operates on empathy. Empathy is the capacity to understand another person’s perspective, to feel what he or she feels. An empathetic person makes an emotional connection with others and feels compelled to help (Batson, 1991). Empathy can be expressed in several ways, including cognitive, affective, and motor.

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Related Experiment Video

Updated: Jan 29, 2026

Observational Fear as a Model of Affective Empathy in Mice

Observational Fear as a Model of Affective Empathy in Mice

Published on: November 22, 2024

Greater empathy in MDMA users.

Molly Carlyle¹, Tobias Stevens¹, Leah Fawaz¹

¹1 Psychopharmacology and Addiction Research Centre (PARC), University of Exeter, Exeter, UK.

Journal of Psychopharmacology (Oxford, England)

|February 6, 2019

Summary

This summary is machine-generated.

Long-term recreational 3,4-Methylenedioxymethamphetamine (MDMA) use did not impair social functioning. MDMA users showed higher emotional empathy and normal social pain responses, suggesting potential safety for therapeutic applications.

Keywords:

MDMA ecstasy empathy social cognition social pain

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Area of Science:

Neuroscience
Psychology
Social Science

Background:

3,4-Methylenedioxymethamphetamine (MDMA) is known for acute pro-social effects, including enhanced empathy.
Limited research exists on the long-term impact of recreational MDMA on social behavior and empathy.

Purpose of the Study:

To investigate the long-term effects of recreational MDMA use on empathy and social functioning.
To compare psychosocial functioning between MDMA users and non-users.

Main Methods:

Sixty-seven participants were categorized into three groups: MDMA users, non-MDMA poly-drug users, and alcohol-only users.
Empathy was assessed using self-report measures and a computerised task (Multifaceted Empathy Task).
Social exclusion was evaluated using the Cyberball Game.

Main Results:

MDMA users reported higher emotional empathy and demonstrated greater cognitive empathy on the computer task compared to non-MDMA poly-drug users.
No significant differences in subjective responses to social exclusion were observed between groups.
No correlation was found between MDMA use indices and empathy levels.

Conclusions:

Long-term recreational MDMA users in this study exhibited normal psychosocial functioning regarding empathy and social pain.
Findings suggest higher subjective emotional empathy in long-term MDMA users.
Results challenge previous notions of potential long-term social distress from MDMA use and support its safety profile for therapeutic considerations.