Table 2

Empathic traits and behavioural results on the fMRI task

Group; mean ± SD
Trait/resultSchizophrenia (n = 27)Control (n = 21)Statistical comparisonp value
Empathic traits (IRI)
 Empathic concern26.4 ± 3.926.2 ± 4.0t = −0.18p = 0.86
 Personal distress18.0 ± 5.214.9 ± 4.8t = −2.13p = 0.039
 Fantasy21.4 ± 6.120.6 ± 4.3t = −0.53p = 0.60
 Perspective taking25.4 ± 4.327.9 0 ± 2.9t = 2.27p = 0.028
Mean pain ratings (out of 100)*p < 0.001
 Pain other63.4 ± 15.065.5 ± 10.9
 Pain self61.5 ± 13.363.5 ± 15.2
 No pain other4.9 ± 7.33.5 ± 5.6
 No pain self4.7 ± 5.33.5 ± 5.6
Mean response time, ms*p < 0.001
 Pain other2470.5 ± 465.32453.5 ± 440.9
 Pain self2501.6 ± 404.92412.3 ± 393.5
 No pain other2002.0 ± 407.01842.7 ± 234.6
 No pain self2168.4 ± 431.71886.9 ± 267.7
  • IRI = Interpersonal Reactivity Index; SD = standard deviation.

  • * Data available for 26 patients.