Empathy

An emotional response (affective), dependent upon the interaction between trait capacities and state influences. Empathic processes are automatically elicited but are also shaped by top-down control processes. The resulting emotion is similar to one’s perception (directly experienced or imagined) and understanding (cognitive empathy) of the stimulus emotion, with recognition that the source of the emotion is not one’s own. See also Theory of Mind and mirror neurons.

The response and experience of feeling another person's emotions - to 'mentally step into their shoes' and share their emotions. How much we empathize with another depends on individual capacities and also the emotions involved in the interaction. When we empathize, we both automatically mirror and imagine (i.e., mentalize) the other person's emotions. Empathy is different from sympathy. Empathy is feeling with another; sympathy is feeling for another.

Reference:

Cuff, B. M., Brown, S. J., Taylor, L., & Howat, D. J. (2016). Empathy: A review of the concept. Emotion Review, 8(2), 144-153. https://doi.org/10.1177/1754073914558466