The ability to understand the feelings of others without experiencing their distress is known as?

The ability to understand the feelings of others without experiencing their distress is known as empathy. Empathy involves recognizing and appreciating another person's emotional experience and perspective. It allows an individual to connect with others on an emotional level, fostering deeper understanding and interpersonal relationships.

In contrast, sympathy typically refers to feelings of pity or sorrow for someone else's misfortune, which can sometimes lead to a sense of distance from their experience. Compassion, while closely related to empathy, goes a step further by not only understanding the feelings of others but also wanting to alleviate their suffering. Integrity relates to the quality of being honest and having strong moral principles and does not pertain to emotional understanding.

Empathy is crucial in healthcare settings, as it enables practitioners to provide patient-centered care and create supportive environments for individuals dealing with various health challenges.