Empathy in interpersonal communication involves:

Question

Empathy in interpersonal communication involves:

I. Understanding others' feelings.

II. Judging others' perspectives.

III. Responding sensitively to emotions.

IV. Ignoring personal biases to remain objective.

Select the correct answer by using the code:

1. A. I, II, and IV only
2. B. I and III only (Correct answer)
3. C. II and IV only
4. D. I and IV only

Correct Answer

Option B — I and III only

Detailed Solution & Explanation

The correct answer is I and III only.

Key Points

• Empathy has two working parts: an understanding component and a response component.
• Statement I — understanding others' feelings — is the cognitive half.
• Statement III — responding sensitively to emotions — is the behavioural half.
• Only I and III together describe empathy, so the pairing 'I and III only' is correct.

Additional Information

• Statement II (judging others' perspectives) is the opposite of empathy; empathy withholds judgement in order to understand.
• Statement IV describes detached objectivity. Setting aside bias is a virtue, but empathy is about *sharing* another's emotional frame, not standing outside it — so IV does not define empathy.
• Psychologists commonly separate cognitive empathy (understanding what another feels) from affective empathy (feeling with them) and compassionate empathy (being moved to help).

*Ministry of Papers worked solution. The Commission has not yet published the official key for this paper; this answer will be reconciled with it on release.*