Interpersonal Reactivity Index
The Interpersonal Reactivity Index (IRI) is a published measurement tool for the multi-dimensional assessment of empathy. It was developed by Mark H. Davis, a professor of psychology at Eckerd College. [1] The tool iswidelt used--the paper describing it [1] has been cited 3697 times, according to Google Scholar [2]
The tool is a self-report comprising 28-items answered on a 5-point Likert scale ranging from “Does not describe me well” to “Describes me very well”.
The four subscales are ([3])::
Perspective Taking - the tendency to spontaneously adopt the psychological point of view of others. Fantasy - taps respondents' tendencies to transpose themselves imaginatively into the feelings and actions of fictitious characters in books, movies, and plays Empathic Concern – assesses "other-oriented" feelings of sympathy and concern for unfortunate others Personal Distress – measures "self-oriented" feelings of personal anxiety and unease in tense interpersonal settings
Example questions
- 11. I sometimes try to understand my friends better by imagining how things look from
their perspective.
- 28. Before criticizing somebody, I try to imagine how I would feel if I were in their place.