title: [Empathy and moral judgements in the elderly population].
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Social cognition refers to mental processes that operate in situations of social interaction and facilitate adjustment and functioning in such scenarios.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  To study the empathic response in two groups of older people and their relationship to emotional intelligence and moral judgment.
  
  
  METHODS
  We enrolled 60 subjects divided into two groups of 30 subjects each completed a battery of tests: TMMS-24, DEX, IRI and moral dilemmas. RESULTS. In the dimension of the IRI perspective taking older group scored significantly less than the middle age group (U = 279; p < 0.05). In all other variables, no statistically significant differences were found.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The results show the absence of a generalized deficit in social cognition in the elderly sample evaluated. However, differences were observed based on age on empathy and executive performance: over time a progressive impairment in theory of mind and a decline in the general empathic capacity occur. With regard to emotional intelligence, the elderly evaluated show a correct perception and understanding of their emotions even report a poorer ability to manage and regulate their emotions.
authors.affiliation: Residencia Ntra. Sra. de Gracia, Tudela, Espana.
authors.forename: Helga
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Ortega
authors.forename: Raúl
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Cacho
authors.forename: José J
authors.initials: JJ
authors.lastname: López-Goñi
authors.forename: Javier
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Tirapu-Ustárroz
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000339:Affect; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D000375:Aging / Q000523:psychology*; D002755:Choice Behavior; D056348:Emotional Intelligence; D004645:Empathy; D056344:Executive Function; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007398:Interpersonal Relations; D007600:Judgment; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009014:Morals; D012938:Social Perception; D012945:Social Values; D013315:Stress, Psychological; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires