Measurement of Empathy with the Hogan Empathy Scale

Abstract

The construct of empathy has been extensively discussed and researched (2, 3, 5, 6). Although increasingly used in the measurement of empathy, little research has been published for the Hogau Empathy Scale on reliability of the scale apart from the initial data presented by its author (3, 4). This report examined the responses of 95 subjeas whose mean age was 37 yr. (range = 19 to 63 yr.). Scores ranged from 23 to 53 (M = 37.45) out of a possible 64 items. The alpha reliability score was .605 which, for a published test, is not considered satisfaaory (1). Corrected item-total correlations showed that 13 items were negatively correlated with the total score. These items were not measuring empathy as defined by this scale and were considered redundant and contradiaory to the total score. A further 30 items did not correlate {p =. .05) with the total score. Of the 64 items, 43 were either redundant or contradictory to Hogan's construa of empathy. Tests which rely (as did this one) on empirically developed scales that do not meet accepted standards of homogeneity are of doubtful worth to researchers and clinicians.