Seven Empathy Myths:

Seven Empathy Myths: Correcting Misconceptions About a Complex Construct
Alison Jane Martingano et al (2025)
https://compass.onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/pdf/10.1111/spc3.70093

Abstract

The term empathy has become a buzzword in recent decades, and the concept has received both scholarly attention and has also been the focus of public interest, professional trainings, and policy initiatives. However, misconceptions about its nature persist. Our aim is to rectify these misunderstandings by highlighting claims about empathy that have been empirically refuted. We address seven myths about empathy: #1 People mean the same thing when they say “empathy,” #2 Empathy increases burnout, #3 Empathy cannot be measured, #4 Empathy comes effortlessly, #5 Empathy cannot be learned, #6 More recent generations lack empathy, #7 Women are naturally more empathic. These myths, selected due to their considerable implications, often contain a grain of truth but are usually exaggerated or misapplied, typically by generalizing findings from one narrow empathy definition to all empathy constructs. The term “empathy” is an umbrella term encompassing lower‐order constructs like compassion, personal distress, emotional congruence, perspective taking, and accurate interpersonal perception. We specify for which lower‐order empathy constructs each myth holds, for which constructs it is debunked (based on empirical evidence), and for which lower‐order constructs sufficient or consistent evidence exists to offer a conclusive verdict. We illuminate the complexities involved in discussing and studying empathy while debunking these prevalent misunderstandings. Our goal extends beyond merely refuting these myths; we strive to avert their potentially harmful impact on policies and society.

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"Empathy has evolved into a widespread cultural ideal, reflected in popular media, celebrity endorsements, and thousands of empathy‐related publications. However, some notions about empathy do not align with current empirical evidence. We refer to these as myths: beliefs that persist in public discourse despite lacking scientific support. Such myths propagate confusion and undermine efforts to translate scientific insights into effective policy and education. Our goal is to set the record straight by detailing what we, as psychological scientists and health services researchers, understand about empathy, and highlighting areas where knowledge is limited."