RT Journal Article
T1 Does our cognitive empathy diminish with age? The moderator role of educational level
A1 Gutiérrez-Cobo, María José
A1 Cabello-González, Rosario
A1 Megías-Robles, Alberto
A1 Gómez-Leal, Raquel
A1 Fernández-Berrocal, Pablo
A1 Baron-Cohen, Simon
K1 Empatía cognitiva
K1 Cognitive empathy
K1 Psicología cognitiva
K1 Desarrollo cognitivo
AB Introduction:The literature has demonstrated how the relationship between cognitive or emotional intelligence and age exhibits an inverted-U-shape and that this decline can be mitigated by an individual’s cognitive reserve (CR). Rather less is known, however, about the pattern of changes in cognitive empathy or the ability to recognize the thoughts or feelings of others.Objectives:The aim of the present study was firstly to analyze the effect of age, gender, and CR (measured through educational level), on the capacity to show cognitive empathy. Secondly, we aimed to evaluate what type of relationship—linear or quadratic—exists between age and cognitive empathy. We finally aimed to analyze the moderator role of educational level on the relationship between age and cognitive empathy.Participants:Totally, 902 Spanish adults aged between 18 and 79 years (M = 43.53, SD = 11.86; 57% women).Measurements:Participants were asked to indicate their educational level (primary, high school, or college education) and their cognitive empathy was assessed using the Eyes test.Results:Women scored higher than men on cognitive empathy. Participants with a college education had higher scores on cognitive empathy than those with a lower educational level. Additionally, the relationship between age and cognitive empathy fit an inverted-U-shaped curve, consistent with the data found for cognitive and emotional intelligence. Finally, the age-related decrease in cognitive empathy appeared to be mitigated by a higher educational level, but only in those individuals aged 35 years and above. Limitations and clinical implications are discussed.
YR 2021
FD 2021
LK https://hdl.handle.net/10630/22512
UL https://hdl.handle.net/10630/22512
LA spa
NO Gutiérrez-Cobo, M.J., Cabello, R., Megías-Robles, A., Gómez-Leal, R., Baron-Cohen, S. & Fernández-Berrocal, P. (2021). Does our cognitive empathy diminish with age? The moderator role of educational level. International Psychogeriatrics,
NO This work was supported by The Spanish Ministry of Economy, Industry, and Competitiveness (project: PSI2017-84170-R to P.F-B.) and by Junta de Andalucía (project: UMA18-FEDERJA-137 to A.M-R; and UMA18- FEDERJA-114 to P.F-B and R.C.).Funding for open access charge: Universidad de Málaga
DS RIUMA. Repositorio Institucional de la Universidad de Málaga
RD 21 ene 2026