Empathy Quotient

The Empathy Quotient (EQ) is a robust, validated 60-item clinical measure developed to assess both the cognitive and affective dimensions of empathy in…

Questions: 60
Duration: 15 min
Original title: EQ — Empathy Quotient
Adaptation: Empathy Quotient
Authors: Baron-Cohen, S. & Wheelwright, S.
Created: 2004

The Empathy Quotient (EQ) is a robust, validated 60-item clinical measure developed to assess both the cognitive and affective dimensions of empathy in adults. Originally designed to investigate empathy differences in autism spectrum conditions, it has since become a standard tool for evaluating social cognition across various clinical presentations. For clinicians, it offers a reliable way to map how easily an individual perceives the emotional states of others and how strongly they resonate with those feelings, which are core components when investigating communication styles and relational dynamics.

Unlike general personality inventories, the EQ isolates empathic responsiveness from broader social traits, using a mix of scored items and non-scored fillers to minimize response bias. Administering the EQ allows practitioners to quantify empathy as a continuous variable, identifying specific deficits that might underlie chronic interpersonal friction or an underlying emotional deprivation schema. This repeatable measure grounds the clinical impression in standardized data, helping to distinguish between intentional emotional distance and genuine neurocognitive differences in social processing.

Example result

Fictitious result, computed from a sample set of answers.

Empathy Quotient (EQ)

29/ 80

Self-report questionnaire developed by Simon Baron-Cohen and Sally Wheelwright (Autism Research Centre, Cambridge) measuring cognitive and affective components of empathy in adults, namely the ability to identify others' emotions and thoughts and respond to them appropriately. It is used clinically to assess social difficulties associated with autism spectrum disorders (ASD) without intellectual disability (high-functioning autism, Asperger syndrome). The full version consists of 60 items: 40 scored empathy items and 20 filler items designed to mask the purpose of the test.

0–30

Empathy deficit indicator

31–80

Above the threshold

Cutoff separating the majority of adults with AS/HFA (81% scored equal to or lower) compared to healthy controls (only 12% scored equal to or lower).

généralemen · general population · United Kingdom · n = 71 · 2004 · Baron-Cohen et al. (2004)

080

M = 41.8 ± 11.2

généralewomen · general population · United Kingdom · n = 126 · 2004 · Baron-Cohen et al. (2004)

080

M = 47.2 ± 10.2

cliniquemixed · condition: ASD · United Kingdom · n = 90 · 2004 · Baron-Cohen et al. (2004)

080

M = 20.4 ± 11.6

Scoring

Sum of empathy items (0/1/2 per item; unscored fillers), total score from 0 to 80, response scoring varies by item (see each question).

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What the test measures

The Empathy Quotient quantifies a person's intuitive ability to tune into the mental states of others and respond with an appropriate emotion. It captures multiple facets of empathic functioning that inform how a person navigates their social world.

Cognitive empathy: The ability to accurately recognize and understand another person's thoughts, feelings, and intentions, essential for decoding the link between behavior, emotion, underlying need in social interactions.
Affective empathy: The automatic emotional resonance or drive to respond to someone else's emotional state, a key factor when expressing vulnerability in relationships.
Social responsiveness: The practical application of empathic understanding to adapt behavior in real-time, such as sensing when one is intruding or knowing how to comfort a distressed friend.

This instrument is validated for adults with typical intellectual functioning and is routinely used in neurodivergence assessments, as well as broader relational therapy.

When and why to use it

Clinicians utilize the EQ when a patient's primary difficulties revolve around social misunderstandings, relational conflict, or suspected neurodevelopmental differences. It provides a structured way to evaluate empathy without relying entirely on subjective self-reporting during unstructured clinical interviews.

Intake baseline: Establishing a baseline for empathic capacity when patients present with chronic relational rupture or patterns resembling the emotional inhibition schema.
Differential support: Distinguishing between a primary empathy deficit and other conditions that may mask empathy, such as severe social anxiety or adherence to 12 beliefs that damage relationships.
Screening/cut-off: Utilizing the validated threshold to aid diagnostic decision-making during formal autism spectrum assessments.
Monitoring change: Tracking whether interventions aimed at improving perspective-taking and emotional recognition lead to tangible shifts in self-reported empathic functioning over time.

Integrating a validated score adds empirical weight to the clinical impression, anchoring the assessment of social cognition in standardized comparative data rather than observational intuition alone.

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The questions

Please read each of the 60 following statements very carefully and rate how strongly you agree or disagree with them by circling your answer. There are no right or wrong answers, or trick questions.
1. I can easily tell if someone else wants to join in a conversation.
Probes the intuitive ability to read non-verbal cues indicating a desire for social inclusion.
- Strongly agree
- Slightly agree
- Slightly disagree
- Strongly disagree
2. I prefer animals to humans.
Filler item evaluating general preference for non-human companionship.
- Strongly agree
- Slightly agree
- Slightly disagree
- Strongly disagree
3. I try to keep up with the current trends and fashions.
Filler item assessing interest in popular culture and societal norms.
- Strongly agree
- Slightly agree
- Slightly disagree
- Strongly disagree
4. I find it difficult to explain things I understand easily to others who don't grasp them right away.
Assesses perspective-taking difficulty when communicating concepts to others.
- Strongly agree
- Slightly agree
- Slightly disagree
- Strongly disagree
5. I dream almost every night.
Filler item inquiring about dream recall frequency.
- Strongly agree
- Slightly agree
- Slightly disagree
- Strongly disagree
6. I really enjoy taking care of other people.
Measures the affective drive and enjoyment derived from nurturing others.
- Strongly agree
- Slightly agree
- Slightly disagree
- Strongly disagree
7. I try to solve my problems by myself rather than discussing them with others.
Filler item capturing tendencies toward independent problem-solving.
- Strongly agree
- Slightly agree
- Slightly disagree
- Strongly disagree
8. I find it hard to know what to do in a social situation.
Evaluates the degree of confusion or uncertainty experienced in unstructured social scenarios.
- Strongly agree
- Slightly agree
- Slightly disagree
- Strongly disagree
9. I am at my best first thing in the morning.
Filler item determining personal circadian rhythm preferences.
- Strongly agree
- Slightly agree
- Slightly disagree
- Strongly disagree
10. People often tell me I go too far when defending my opinion in a discussion.
Probes feedback received regarding aggressive or overbearing communication in debates.
- Strongly agree
- Slightly agree
- Slightly disagree
- Strongly disagree
11. It doesn't bother me if I am late for an appointment with a friend.
Assesses emotional attunement to how one's own tardiness might affect a peer.
- Strongly agree
- Slightly agree
- Slightly disagree
- Strongly disagree
12. Friendships and relationships are just too difficult, so I tend not to bother with them.
Evaluates a tendency to withdraw from social bonds due to their perceived complexity.
- Strongly agree
- Slightly agree
- Slightly disagree
- Strongly disagree
13. I would never break a law, no matter how minor.
Filler item measuring rigid adherence to rules and minor laws.
- Strongly agree
- Slightly agree
- Slightly disagree
- Strongly disagree
14. I often find it difficult to judge if something is rude or polite.
Assesses the cognitive ability to accurately identify social etiquette and faux pas.
- Strongly agree
- Slightly agree
- Slightly disagree
- Strongly disagree
15. During a conversation, I tend to focus on my own thoughts rather than on what my listener might be thinking.
Measures the tendency to prioritize internal dialogue over active listening in interactions.
- Strongly agree
- Slightly agree
- Slightly disagree
- Strongly disagree
16. I prefer practical jokes to verbal humor.
Filler item evaluating preferences for physical versus linguistic humor.
- Strongly agree
- Slightly agree
- Slightly disagree
- Strongly disagree
17. I live life for today rather than for the future.
Filler item checking orientation toward present-focused living.
- Strongly agree
- Slightly agree
- Slightly disagree
- Strongly disagree
18. When I was a child, I enjoyed cutting up worms to see what would happen.
Probes past childhood behavior regarding affective empathy and cruelty to animals.
- Strongly agree
- Slightly agree
- Slightly disagree
- Strongly disagree
19. I can quickly tell if a person says one thing but means another.
Evaluates the cognitive empathy required to detect sarcasm or hidden meanings.
- Strongly agree
- Slightly agree
- Slightly disagree
- Strongly disagree
20. I tend to have strong opinions about morality.
Filler item measuring the rigidity of moral convictions.
- Strongly agree
- Slightly agree
- Slightly disagree
- Strongly disagree
21. I find it hard to understand why some things upset people so much.
Assesses the ability to comprehend the emotional triggers of others.
- Strongly agree
- Slightly agree
- Slightly disagree
- Strongly disagree
22. I find it easy to put myself in somebody else's shoes.
Measures self-reported ease in active perspective-taking.
- Strongly agree
- Slightly agree
- Slightly disagree
- Strongly disagree
23. I think that good manners are the most important thing that a parent can teach their child.
Filler item assessing traditional values regarding child-rearing.
- Strongly agree
- Slightly agree
- Slightly disagree
- Strongly disagree
24. I like to do things on the spur of the moment.
Filler item evaluating trait spontaneity.
- Strongly agree
- Slightly agree
- Slightly disagree
- Strongly disagree
25. I am good at telling how someone is feeling.
Probes the cognitive capacity to accurately anticipate another person's emotional reaction.
- Strongly agree
- Slightly agree
- Slightly disagree
- Strongly disagree
26. I can quickly spot if someone in a group is feeling awkward or uncomfortable.
Evaluates sensitivity to the social discomfort of individuals within a group setting.
- Strongly agree
- Slightly agree
- Slightly disagree
- Strongly disagree
27. If I say something that upsets someone, I think it's their problem, not mine.
Assesses the externalization of responsibility when one's words cause emotional harm.
- Strongly agree
- Slightly agree
- Slightly disagree
- Strongly disagree
28. If someone asked me if I like their hairstyle, I would answer honestly, even if I don't like it.
Measures the prioritization of blunt honesty over emotional tact in interpersonal exchanges.
- Strongly agree
- Slightly agree
- Slightly disagree
- Strongly disagree
29. I don't always realize why someone should feel offended by a remark.
Probes the cognitive blind spot in understanding why one's statements might cause offense.
- Strongly agree
- Slightly agree
- Slightly disagree
- Strongly disagree
30. People often tell me that I am unpredictable.
Filler item capturing external feedback about behavioral consistency.
- Strongly agree
- Slightly agree
- Slightly disagree
- Strongly disagree
31. I enjoy being the center of attention in social situations.
Filler item evaluating desire for social attention and extraversion.
- Strongly agree
- Slightly agree
- Slightly disagree
- Strongly disagree
32. Seeing someone cry doesn't really upset me.
Assesses the presence or absence of affective distress when witnessing another person cry.
- Strongly agree
- Slightly agree
- Slightly disagree
- Strongly disagree
33. I enjoy discussing politics.
Filler item checking interest in political discourse.
- Strongly agree
- Slightly agree
- Slightly disagree
- Strongly disagree
34. I am very blunt, which people sometimes take for rudeness, even though I don't mean to be.
Measures self-awareness regarding unintentional rudeness caused by overly direct communication.
- Strongly agree
- Slightly agree
- Slightly disagree
- Strongly disagree
35. I don't tend to find social situations confusing.
Evaluates the general subjective ease experienced when navigating social dynamics.
- Strongly agree
- Slightly agree
- Slightly disagree
- Strongly disagree
36. People tell me that I am good at understanding what people are feeling and thinking.
Probes external validation of the individual's empathic accuracy and emotional understanding.
- Strongly agree
- Slightly agree
- Slightly disagree
- Strongly disagree
37. When I talk to people, I tend to talk about their experiences rather than my own.
Assesses the conversational tendency to center the other person's lived experience.
- Strongly agree
- Slightly agree
- Slightly disagree
- Strongly disagree
38. I get upset when I see an animal suffering.
Measures affective empathy and distress in response to animal suffering.
- Strongly agree
- Slightly agree
- Slightly disagree
- Strongly disagree
39. I am able to make decisions without being influenced by people's feelings.
Evaluates the capacity to detach from the emotional atmosphere when making decisions.
- Strongly agree
- Slightly agree
- Slightly disagree
- Strongly disagree
40. I can't relax until I've done everything I had planned for the day.
Filler item checking task-completion anxiety and daily rigidity.
- Strongly agree
- Slightly agree
- Slightly disagree
- Strongly disagree
41. I can easily tell if what I'm saying is interesting or boring to the person I'm talking to.
Probes the ability to read non-verbal feedback regarding listener engagement.
- Strongly agree
- Slightly agree
- Slightly disagree
- Strongly disagree
42. I get upset when I see people suffering on the news.
Measures the degree of affective resonance experienced when exposed to distant suffering.
- Strongly agree
- Slightly agree
- Slightly disagree
- Strongly disagree
43. My friends usually talk to me about their problems because they say I am very understanding.
Assesses whether peers recognize and utilize the individual's emotional support skills.
- Strongly agree
- Slightly agree
- Slightly disagree
- Strongly disagree
44. I can sense when I am intruding, even if the person doesn't tell me.
Evaluates intuitive boundary awareness without the need for explicit verbal cues.
- Strongly agree
- Slightly agree
- Slightly disagree
- Strongly disagree
45. I often start new hobbies, but I quickly get bored of them and move on to something else.
Filler item capturing patterns of novelty-seeking and rapid habituation in hobbies.
- Strongly agree
- Slightly agree
- Slightly disagree
- Strongly disagree
46. People often tell me that I've gone too far with my jokes.
Probes difficulties in modulating playful behavior and recognizing when teasing becomes hurtful.
- Strongly agree
- Slightly agree
- Slightly disagree
- Strongly disagree
47. I would be far too scared to go on a big rollercoaster.
Filler item checking thrill-seeking tendencies and physical fear.
- Strongly agree
- Slightly agree
- Slightly disagree
- Strongly disagree
48. I am often told that I'm insensitive, but I don't always see why.
Assesses a history of receiving feedback about insensitivity coupled with a lack of understanding as to why.
- Strongly agree
- Slightly agree
- Slightly disagree
- Strongly disagree
49. If I see a stranger in a group, I think that it is up to them to make the effort to fit in.
Measures the expectation that others should initiate social integration without assistance.
- Strongly agree
- Slightly agree
- Slightly disagree
- Strongly disagree
50. I usually remain emotionally detached when watching a movie.
Evaluates the default level of emotional detachment maintained during narrative media consumption.
- Strongly agree
- Slightly agree
- Slightly disagree
- Strongly disagree
51. I like to be very organized in my daily life, and I often make lists of things to do.
Filler item capturing reliance on lists and organizational routines.
- Strongly agree
- Slightly agree
- Slightly disagree
- Strongly disagree
52. I can quickly and intuitively tune into how someone is feeling.
Probes the speed and intuitive nature of emotional attunement to others.
- Strongly agree
- Slightly agree
- Slightly disagree
- Strongly disagree
53. I don't like taking risks.
Filler item checking general risk aversion.
- Strongly agree
- Slightly agree
- Slightly disagree
- Strongly disagree
54. I can easily work out what another person might want to talk about.
Assesses the cognitive ability to infer conversational interests based on social cues.
- Strongly agree
- Slightly agree
- Slightly disagree
- Strongly disagree
55. I can tell if someone is hiding their true emotions.
Measures the capacity to detect emotional incongruence and suppressed feelings.
- Strongly agree
- Slightly agree
- Slightly disagree
- Strongly disagree
56. Before making a decision, I always weigh the pros and cons.
Filler item evaluating deliberative versus impulsive decision-making styles.
- Strongly agree
- Slightly agree
- Slightly disagree
- Strongly disagree
57. I don't consciously work out the rules of social situations.
Evaluates whether social navigation relies on intuitive processing rather than conscious rule-decoding.
- Strongly agree
- Slightly agree
- Slightly disagree
- Strongly disagree
58. I am good at predicting what a person will do.
Probes the cognitive empathy required to forecast another person's behavior.
- Strongly agree
- Slightly agree
- Slightly disagree
- Strongly disagree
59. I tend to get emotionally involved with my friends' problems.
Assesses the tendency for affective spillover when supporting a distressed friend.
- Strongly agree
- Slightly agree
- Slightly disagree
- Strongly disagree
60. I can usually understand another person’s viewpoint, even if I don’t agree with it.
Measures the ability to hold space for divergent perspectives without requiring agreement.
- Strongly agree
- Slightly agree
- Slightly disagree
- Strongly disagree