Sociopath Community

I always assumed that most people have no control over empathy. You often hear of a sad scene in a movie affecting people emotionally. Why, in your opinion, do you believe so many people cry over sad movies?

Well, I always thought this kind of emotional contagion was empathy. If
it happens, you're definitely not a psychopath in my book :D

Ok, then perhaps I am not a psychopath. But it said emotional contagion is not the same as empathy. Also if someone is laughing when I come in to a room, I may just smile or laugh a little. Or I just make myself laugh a little to join in (like I do when someone tells a crappy joke). When I laugh with someone, it is usually because of something I said or made fun of. But other people's laughter definitely makes me laugh more in those situations. This is not a common occurrence for me however. I mostly laugh at my own behavior (when I think about it) or sick jokes/trolling that I post/do on the Internet, etc.

Why would anyone care about a movie character?

by Storm

Also if someone is laughing when I come in to a room, I may just smile or laugh a little.

I don't. I'm either indifferent towards them, or if it's someone I know, I may wonder what they're happy about. It doesn't affect me emotionally.

As you should be able to infer from what I wrote, I laugh in those situations only because it's what I'm "supposed" to do.

by Storm

As you should be able to infer from what I wrote, I laugh in those situations only because it's what I'm "supposed" to do.

I really don't think people expect you to smile or laugh just because they are when they walk into the room.

You mentioned emotional contagion, which gave the impression that you're affected by their emotions.

Perhaps not but it's more if someone is laughing at a youtube video, telling a joke or somthing and I walk in.

If I make someone laugh (at something I myself find funny) it can boost my own laughter. I mostly laugh at my own jokes or things I have done or said (or wrote). 

What has that got to do with emotional contagion - you smiling or laughing when other people, who are smiling or laughing, walk in the room?

Not that part but the other thing. That my own laughter is boosted if someone else is laughing. Or it's perhaps not that... Could be something I said made someone laugh, and then that person keeps referring to it, which in turn makes me laugh. I can laugh almost as much when I'm alone.

by DaniellaEllaLaLaLa

If a socio somehow finds that their antisocial behavior affects them negatively, they might function just as well as any empath. I don't think the high-functioning sociopaths need to be more empathetic since they often realize they're making it easier for themselves by "behaving".

 Yeah...I disagree that a socio (even a high functioning one) would manage to function just as well as a normal person all the time. 

maybe not all the time, but often enough to be successful or not get into trouble