Some people (and even primates) can understand the emotions of those around them and want to help them. On the other hand, others can identify those emotions, but choose not to do anything in response.

Those types of people who are using instrumental empathy are aware of other’s emotions and use them for their own benefit. While they do act, their only intention is to manipulate others and cause them harm. They manage this without having a guilty conscience or feeling any remorse.

People who use instrumental empathy are often extremely charming . Their goal is to convince the people around them that they really care for them.

Some key characteristics are:

• They demonstrate cognitive empathy. In other words, they watch someone’s behavior, expressions, and tone of voice to understand how they’re feeling.
• People with psychopathic tendencies feel the emotions of others. However, they’re able to switch their empathy off and on.