Civil Service Personality Practice Test

What emotional response is indicated by agreement that tragic events in media are saddening?

1. Emotional detachment

2. Empathy

3. Indifference

4. Curiosity about human suffering

The correct answer is: Empathy

The agreement that tragic events in media are saddening indicates empathy, which is the ability to understand and share the feelings of others. When individuals acknowledge that these events evoke sadness, they are recognizing the emotional weight and impact of these situations not only on the victims but also on the broader community. This response reflects an emotional connection to the experiences of others, demonstrating compassion and concern for their suffering. Empathy involves a deeper emotional engagement with the plight of others, rather than being detached or indifferent. It prompts individuals to feel sorrow for those affected by the tragedy, showing a willingness to relate to their pain. This response likely encourages supportive thoughts or actions toward alleviating such suffering. In contrast, emotional detachment would involve a lack of emotional response or an inability to connect with the emotions portrayed in the media, while indifference signifies a disregard for the events themselves. Curiosity about human suffering might indicate an interest in the events for personal knowledge or understanding but does not inherently reflect a caring emotional response like empathy does. Thus, the acknowledgment of sadness in response to tragic events strongly aligns with an empathetic viewpoint.