WORLDTECHNew empathy tests reportedly cover joyful and embarrassing stories
Phys.org reports that new tests are widening how empathy is measured, reaching beyond sad or painful accounts to include joyful stories and embarrassing mishaps. The report illustrates the point with an amusement park visit.
What the reported example shows
According to Phys.org, listeners can feel along with a storyteller even if they never went to the park themselves. The example given is the deep letdown of finding that a favourite ride is closed.
The same account says that hearing such a story can feel like being on an emotional roller coaster. It also cites embarrassment, describing an ice cream that abruptly left the storyteller's stomach on the Freefall Tower.
Why the new tests stand out
The report presents the new tests as a way to measure empathy across a wider range of emotional content than before, including positive and lighthearted stories.
Open questions
- How the new tests are designed is not clear from the available facts?
- How many participants took part in the tests cannot be determined from the report?