Empathising–systemising theory

Empathising–systemising theory is a psychological model proposed by British psychologist Simon Baron-Cohen. The theory suggests that individuals can be classified on the basis of their scores along two dimensions: empathising (E) and systemising (S).

Overview

The empathising–systemising theory posits that people may be understood in terms of their different styles of thought: empathising and systemising. Empathising is the drive to identify another person's emotions and thoughts, and to respond to these with an appropriate emotion. Systemising is the drive to analyse or build a system.

Empathising

Empathising involves the ability to perceive and understand the emotions of others, to be affected by these emotions, and to respond appropriately. It is a key component of emotional intelligence and is thought to be fundamental to prosocial behavior.

Systemising

Systemising involves the ability to identify the underlying rules that govern the behavior of a system. This can be a mechanical system, a natural system, an abstract system, or a social system. Systemising allows individuals to predict and control the behavior of these systems.

Empathising–systemising quotient

The empathising–systemising quotient (EQ-SQ) is a measure of the balance between empathising and systemising. It is used in research to investigate the empathising–systemising theory. The EQ-SQ has been used to study differences in cognitive style between men and women, and between individuals with and without autism spectrum disorder.

Criticisms and controversies

The empathising–systemising theory has been criticised for its binary nature, with critics arguing that it oversimplifies the complexity of human cognition and behavior. Some researchers have also questioned the validity of the EQ-SQ as a measure of empathising and systemising.

See also

• Cognitive style
• Theory of mind
• Autism spectrum
• Emotional intelligence