Interpersonal Reactivity Index (IRI)

[wasp]

Interpersonal Reactivity Index (IRI) is a self-evaluating test that measures empathy. It defines empathy as, "reactions of one individual to the observed experiences of another". It divides empathy into four distinct categories: Perspective-Taking, Fantasy, Empathic Concern, and Personal Distress.

Please read the instructions: http://fetzer.org/sites/default/file...ivityIndex.pdf

Personalized descriptions drawing correlations between IRI and Cognitive/Affective Empathy:

Perspective-Taking and Empathic Concern are "other-oriented".

Fantasy and Personal Distress are "self-oriented".

Perspective-Taking and Fantasy are forms of "Cognitive Empathy".

Empathic Concern and Personal Distress are forms of "Affective Empathy".

"Cognitive Empathy" requires perspective-taking.
It is the conscious drive to recognize and understand another's emotional state.
Perspective-Taking would be the purest form of "Cognitive Empathy".

"Affective Empathy" requires emotional contagion.
It is the unconscious drive to respond appropriately to another's emotional state.
Empathic Concern would be the purest form of "Affective Empathy".

Clarification
In some cases, Fantasy does require emotional contagion - such as in the case of fictional works - but the unconscious mobilization characteristic of "Affective Empathy" is more closely aligned with Personal Distress. Fantasy also includes your own imagination, hence "self-oriented".

Personal Distress is unconscious self-oriented feelings of discomfort which result in direct words/actions to alleviate oneself of said discomfort.

Empathic Concern is unconscious other-oriented feelings of sympathy which result in direct words/actions to alleviate others' emotional distress.

For those who prefer simplicity in the form of charts:

Disclaimer: I was hoping to create an excel spreadsheet to make the process of taking the test easier on everyone else, so that they'd be more inclined to take it. But, in the end, all I was left with were color-coded boxes. I'll try again later, but until then, you will need to calculate your results manually.

[chrys]

Okay so I did this on my phone so I just tried to mentally tally my answers... roughly, but I do like the order of preference anyways.

Perspective Taking (23) > Fantasy (20)> Personal Distress (18) > Empathetic Concern (12)


I've never been known to be empathetic really.

[The Exception]

Fantasy 23
Empathetic concern 23
Perspective taking 19
Personal distress 17

[ouronis]

Out of 28
Perspective Taking 16
Fantasy 16
Emotional Concern 14
Personal Distress 18.5

[squark]

FS 18-19
EC 14
PT 5
PD 2

[huiheiwufhawriuhg]

Fantasy 28 > Empathetic concern 17 > Perspective taking 13 > Personal distress 12

Lol, I always get too involved when watching a movie or reading a book. I wish I had the kind of empathy for the real people as well.