It’s the modern buzzword we’ve all been told to strive for – but how much is too much when it comes to empathy?

While there’s no denying that it’s a good thing to be able to relate to those around you on an emotional level, the Goldilocks rule can be applied to our levels of understanding just as easily as it can be to porridge; there is a sweet spot.

Too little empathy, and you wind up becoming slightly robotic, stony-faced over heartbreaking news stories, ignoring the needs of others, and completely at a loss when faced with your best friend’s tears.

Too much empathy, and you put yourself at risk of heightened stress levels and the inability to make rational, impartial decisions.

Quiz: where do you fall on the empathy scale?