Do you perceive that people empathize with you when you perceive that they took your perspective?: Distinguishing affective perspective-taking from cognitive perspective-taking

Abstract

This study examines the effects of perceived affective perspective-taking (i.e., believing that another individual is taking one’s perspective and imagining one’s emotion) and perceived cognitive perspective-taking (i.e., believing that another individual is taking one’s perspective and imagining one’s thought) on perceived empathy. First, participants wrote an essay about their opinion. Then, they received feedback as to whether another participant (who does not actually exist) who read their opinion took their perspective and imagined their emotions and thoughts. Our data suggest that perceived empathy is facilitated in what is a relative effect of perceived affective perspective-taking and perceived cognitive perspective-taking. Moreover, it is suggested that perceived affective perspective-taking has an absolute effect on perceived empathy. Regarding the results, we considered the possibility of covariation between perceived affective perspective-taking and perceived cognitive perspective-taking.