User empathy is about seeing problems and experiences through the eyes of users. For UX researchers and designers, this means going beyond personal experiences. User empathy is important because UX designers must make decisions that are representative of and beneficial to the people they're designing for.
Why is user empathy important?
Empathy is simply crucial to a human-centered design process such as design thinking as it helps you set aside your own assumptions about the world to gain insight into your users and their needs instead.
What is an example of empathy?
For example, you likely smile and take the trouble to remember people's names: that's empathy in action. Giving people your full attention in meetings, being curious about their lives and interests, and offering constructive feedback are all empathic behaviors, too.
What are the 3 skills of empathy?
Psychologists have identified three types of empathy: cognitive empathy, emotional empathy and compassionate empathy. Cognitive empathy is understanding someone's thoughts and emotions, in a very rational, rather than emotional sense.