The hot-cold empathy gap is a cognitive bias where individuals underestimate the impact of emotional states on their own attitudes and behaviors. It illustrates that human understanding is influenced by state-dependent factors; for instance, someone who is angry may struggle to empathize with a calm person's perspective, and vice versa. This gap can lead to negative consequences in various areas, including medical settings where understanding a patient's pain is crucial.
For example, when someone is overly hungry (a hot state), they may impulsively choose unhealthy food options, failing to recognize that their long-term dietary preferences are more balanced and healthy in a cold state.
To overcome this bias, individuals can practice mindfulness, which helps them become aware of their current emotional state and how it may skew their decision-making, enabling them to make more balanced choices.