Complications in a Common Effect: Empathy Measures Show Variability in Better-Than-Average Effects

We investigated better-than-average effects (BTAEs) using three empathy measures (Toronto Empathy Questionnaire; Interpersonal Reactivity Index; and self-reported “empathy”). All measures showed BTAEs, but the magnitude of the different BTAEs were inconsistently correlated. Furthermore, gender effects varied, suggesting participants (N = 170) perceived the comparisons as assessing different aspects of empathy.