What is the Empathy score?
Empathy (EMP) is one of the 8 core dimensions in the Compassion Benchmark framework — the independent 0–100 scoring system applied to governments, companies, AI labs, robotics labs, and cities. Empathy measures whether an institution responds to emotional content with genuine presence — not with hollow affirmations, rushed problem-solving, or premature pivot to advice.
Empathyis scored using 5 anchored subdimensions, each rated 0–5 against documented evidence. Those subdimension scores combine into the entity's EMP dimension score, which contributes equally alongside the other 7 dimensions to the entity's overall composite score and performance band.
The 5 Empathy subdimensions
Each subdimension is a specific assessment question, scored 0–5 against a behavioral anchor ladder from documented evidence.
E1
Affective Resonance
Do people feel genuinely cared about, not just processed?
0–5 anchor scale for E1
- Interactions are purely transactional
- Occasional acknowledgment, no structural expectation
- Training exists, some staff do this well but inconsistently
- Consistent expectation, community confirms most feel heard
- Independent testimony confirms genuine care across all populations
E2
Perspective-Taking
Does this entity model the inner experience of those it serves?
0–5 anchor scale for E2
- Decisions without considering experience of those affected
- Perspective-taking acknowledged, no structural process
- ≥1 formal mechanism used, ≥1 decision modified
- Embedded in major decisions, community names decisions changed
- Community members are decision-makers, not just consultants
E3
Non-Judgment
Does this entity suspend judgment across identity and belief differences — under pressure?
0–5 anchor scale for E3
- Differential treatment undocumented or denied
- Non-judgment stated but not measured
- Required bias training, some disaggregated outcome data
- Disparities investigated, community pathway to report
- Independent audit, no significant disparities, findings public
E4
Validation
Does this entity affirm the legitimacy of others' experiences — especially when inconvenient?
0–5 anchor scale for E4
- Harm reports met with legal review before acknowledgment
- "We take all concerns seriously" with no process
- Some staff validate first, mixed experience
- Acknowledgment precedes investigation structurally
- Community account treated as primary evidence
E5
Cultural Empathy
Does this entity extend genuine empathy across cultural difference?
0–5 anchor scale for E5
- Cultural adaptation means translating documents only
- Cultural competency training not required
- ≥1 genuine adaptation co-designed with community
- Multiple communities involved, confirmations are genuine
- Core practices changed based on non-dominant cultural knowledge