empathy deficit
Lack of understanding
Empathy deficit describes a diminished capacity to understand or share the feelings of others.
The term appears in psychology and popular discourse to characterize individuals, institutions, or cultures that seem unable or unwilling to recognize others' emotional experiences: The company's empathy deficit showed in how it handled layoffs.
Unlike clinical conditions, an empathy deficit often implies something correctable—a gap to be addressed rather than a permanent limitation.
- coldnessLow temperature state
- narcissismExcessive admiration of oneself
- detachmentSeparation or emotional uninvolvement
- cold shoulderIntentional dismissive treatment
- callousnessCruel emotional indifference
heart of stone · indifference · turning a blind eye · disconnection · closed off · selfishness · oblivious · not listening · uncaring · tuning out · hollow · numb · distant · blind spot · tone-deaf · dismissive · insensitive · self-absorbed
empathy deficitempathy
Sharing another's emotions
emotional intelligence · cognitive empathy · emotional awareness · emotional literacy · mentalizing
empathy deficitdeep connection
Meaningful emotional closeness
emotional intimacy · emotional resonance · rapport · fellow feeling · human connection
empathy deficitcompassion
Concern for others' distress
tender-heartedness · altruism · warm-heartedness · kindheartedness · sympathy
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