Compassion: Feel for Others

Compassion literally means "to suffer with"—it is the ability to tenderly feel another's pain. Brain imaging studies suggest that we are hardwired for compassion, and that it begins at birth between parent and baby. Compassion helps us calm down and connect with others, mirror their feelings, increase positive emotions, and open up to a more spiritual view of the world. Answer these twenty questions to find out about your own capacity for compassion.

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A Bit About This Quiz

The quiz you are about to take is adapted from The Love and Longevity scale, which was created and tested by Dr. Stephen Post and colleagues of his at the University of Miami. It allows you to self-rate ten different giving behaviors. Score yourself now, and then again as you change and grow in your ways of giving. Please try to click the one option that best reflects your opinion about whether or not each statement below describes you or experiences that you have had. There are no correct answers, so please respond as honestly as possible to each one.  To learn more about weaving generous behavior into your own life and becoming a happier, healthier person, buy the book HERE.

1. When someone in my family experiences something upsetting or discouraging, I make a special point of being kind.

Strongly Disagree   Disagree   Slightly Disagree   Slightly Agree   Agree   Strongly Agree  

2. I can't resist reaching out to help when one of my family members seems to be hurting or suffering.

Strongly Disagree   Disagree   Slightly Disagree   Slightly Agree   Agree   Strongly Agree  

3. When my loved ones are having problems, I do all I can to help them.

Strongly Disagree   Disagree   Slightly Disagree   Slightly Agree   Agree   Strongly Agree  

4. I'm probably a bit too preoccupied to be as compassionate as I could be with my family members.

Strongly Disagree   Disagree   Slightly Disagree   Slightly Agree   Agree   Strongly Agree  

5. I don't give my family members the kind or quality of attention they need when they are feeling sad, lonely, or frustrated.

Strongly Disagree   Disagree   Slightly Disagree   Slightly Agree   Agree   Strongly Agree  

6. When friends are sick, I make of point of paying them a visit.

Strongly Disagree   Disagree   Slightly Disagree   Slightly Agree   Agree   Strongly Agree  

7. I drop everything to care for my friends when they are feeling sad, in pain, or lonely.

Strongly Disagree   Disagree   Slightly Disagree   Slightly Agree   Agree   Strongly Agree  

8. When friends of mine are experiencing problems, I do everything I can to help them.

Strongly Disagree   Disagree   Slightly Disagree   Slightly Agree   Agree   Strongly Agree  

9. I may be too busy with my own concerns to be as compassionate as I could be with my friends.

Strongly Disagree   Disagree   Slightly Disagree   Slightly Agree   Agree   Strongly Agree  

10. I don't give my friends the amount of attention they need when they are feeling sad, lonely, or frustrated.

Strongly Disagree   Disagree   Slightly Disagree   Slightly Agree   Agree   Strongly Agree  

11. When neighbors and friends are ill, I make a point of paying them a visit.

Strongly Disagree   Disagree   Slightly Disagree   Slightly Agree   Agree   Strongly Agree  

12. I drop everything to help my neighbors and coworkers when they are having problems.

Strongly Disagree   Disagree   Slightly Disagree   Slightly Agree   Agree   Strongly Agree  

13. When people in my neighborhood or place of work are having problems, I do all I can to help them.

Strongly Disagree   Disagree   Slightly Disagree   Slightly Agree   Agree   Strongly Agree  

14. Sometimes I notice myself being unsympathetic when coworkers or neighbors seem to be having problems.

Strongly Disagree   Disagree   Slightly Disagree   Slightly Agree   Agree   Strongly Agree  

15. It's hard for me to feel sorry for people in my community or place of work who are struggling in life.

Strongly Disagree   Disagree   Slightly Disagree   Slightly Agree   Agree   Strongly Agree  

16. I frequently donate to charities that are working to ease the plight of the unfortunate around the world.

Strongly Disagree   Disagree   Slightly Disagree   Slightly Agree   Agree   Strongly Agree  

17. I have often come to the aid of a stranger who seemed to be having difficulty.

Strongly Disagree   Disagree   Slightly Disagree   Slightly Agree   Agree   Strongly Agree  

18. I do not hesitate to lend my support to causes around the world that seek to help people who are unfortunate.

Strongly Disagree   Disagree   Slightly Disagree   Slightly Agree   Agree   Strongly Agree  

19. It's hard for me to feel compassion for complete strangers, even if they seem to be having problems.

Strongly Disagree   Disagree   Slightly Disagree   Slightly Agree   Agree   Strongly Agree  

20. When I hear about people who are suffering in other parts of the world, my typical response is to ignore it.

Strongly Disagree   Disagree   Slightly Disagree   Slightly Agree   Agree   Strongly Agree