EQ
Empathy Quotient
A 60-item self-report measure of empathy in adults.
For each statement, select the response that best matches how you feel. Some statements do not score — they are included to balance the questionnaire. Answer them all honestly.
About the EQ
The Empathy Quotient was developed by Simon Baron-Cohen and Sally Wheelwright at the Autism Research Centre. It measures cognitive empathy (understanding others’ mental states) and affective empathy (responding appropriately to others’ feelings). Lower scores are commonly associated with autistic traits.
60 items total (40 scoring + 20 filler). Designed for adults. Takes about 10–15 minutes.
Scoring
Only 40 of the 60 items contribute to the score. Each scoring item awards 2 points for a “Definitely” response or 1 point for a “Slightly” response in the empathic direction. The maximum score is 80. A score of 30 or below suggests lower empathy, which is common among autistic individuals.
Reliability
The EQ shows good internal consistency (Cronbach’s α = 0.92) and strong test-retest reliability. It reliably discriminates between autistic and non-autistic groups, with autistic adults scoring significantly lower on average.
Important: The EQ measures self-reported empathy, not empathic capacity. Autistic individuals may experience empathy differently rather than lacking it. A low score is not a diagnosis.
Baron-Cohen, S., & Wheelwright, S. (2004). The Empathy Quotient: An investigation of adults with Asperger Syndrome or High Functioning Autism, and normal sex differences. Journal of Autism and Developmental Disorders, 34(2), 163–175.