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[gregtitus]

flamingnerd was telling me a few days ago that she doesn't think she knows any other smart guys who are non-Asperger-esque, so when I saw schizokitty post this earlier today, I had to go take the tests to actually see

Comments

[beaq]

I dispute that the test can determine a person's ability to read facial expressions through focus on the eye area. I don't believe it could be reasonably asserted that someone who got a very low score on that test -- that is, someone whose interpretation of eye expressions did not correspond with the "correct" option -- is unable to accurately read eye gestures, with slightly more facial (or appropriate cultural) context. I doubt it's even very suggestive of their preferred focus when looking at the face.

You do *seem* to be pretty alert to other people's emotional states. I wouldn't have any idea how the information gets into you, though, or what your answers mean. I don't believe that "unempathetic" answers to many of those questions necessarily indicate a lack of *ability* to empathize. Mine turns on and off, frex. If I'm paying attention, and allowing things in, AND behaving morally on the level I know other people expect me to behave, then I score high on that test. If I answer as if I am not, which sometimes is the case, I score low. (I think I'm about average.) Like most of these tests, this one isn't really cut out to assess people who always have to ask what "is" is. (Also, I don't believe that what you do as a child precludes learning better -- or learning worse -- as you age.)

I suspect that a person who was very compassionate, fairly well self-actualized, and extremely analytical might score relatively low on the empathy quiz, for various reasons.

Which I suppose doesn't make it "bullshit," but there's always more to the story.

[beaq]

I don't believe that "unempathetic" answers to many of those questions necessarily indicate a lack of *ability* to empathize

Or, um. I mean, I think some of those questions don't account for things besides empathy that might affect answers.