What does showing empathy allow someone to do?

Showing empathy allows someone to experience feelings as another person, which is essential in understanding and connecting with others. When a person demonstrates empathy, they are able to put themselves in someone else's shoes and gain insight into their emotions, experiences, and perspectives. This deep connection fosters a supportive environment where individuals feel heard and valued, enhancing communication and relationships.

In contrast, the other choices delve into actions that do not prioritize understanding the feelings of others. Interjecting one's own opinions shifts the focus away from the other person's experience, making it a less empathetic response. Compromising one’s beliefs does not inherently relate to understanding others’ feelings and can lead to personal conflict rather than empathy. Pressuring others in a discussion is counterproductive to empathy, as it seeks to impose one’s views rather than seek to understand another person’s feelings and viewpoints. Through empathy, authentic connections and mutual respect can be cultivated, benefiting both individuals in the interaction.