Imagine standing in the shoes of someone who is experiencing intense emotions—perhaps they’re overwhelmed with stress, bursting with joy, or simmering in anger. Now, try to predict how you would feel in that same situation. The empathy gap is the cognitive bias that makes this task surprisingly difficult. It describes our tendency to underestimate the influence of visceral states—such as emotions, hunger, or pain—on our own future behavior and decision-making, and on those of others.
Picture this: you’re preparing for an important presentation, but you’re calm and collected. In this rational state, you might underestimate just how anxiety-ridden you’ll feel once you’re actually in front of your audience. Conversely, when you’re in the throes of nervousness, it’s hard to believe you could ever feel calm about it.
This bias can manifest in everyday life in numerous ways. For instance, when we are full, it’s difficult to remember the desperation of hunger and we may fail to prepare adequately for future meals. Or when we are happy, we might not fully grasp a friend’s grief, leading to less empathetic responses.
Understanding the empathy gap has practical implications. By recognizing this bias, we can strive to anticipate our own future emotional states more accurately and empathize more genuinely with others. This can enhance personal relationships, improve decision-making, and foster a deeper understanding of human behavior. So, the next time you’re calm, remember how stress feels. And when you’re happy, consider the struggles of others. Bridging the empathy gap can lead to richer, more compassionate interactions.