This research explores sex and discipline-area differences in empathy across theInterpersonal Reactivity Index developed by Davis. A descriptive cross-sectionalstudy was performed with the participation of 680 university students, divided into351 women and 329 men belonging to Physics-Mathematics, Social-Humanisticand Biological-Chemistry areas. The results show sex differences in threedimensions of the inventory with higher scores for women. No differences inrelation to the subject area of the students were observed. There is interactionbetween sex and discipline in the mathematical-physicist women who obtainedhigher scores in Personal Distress than other participants.

Esta investigación explora diferencias por sexo y área disciplinar en Empatíamedidas a través del Interpersonal Reactivity Index desarrollado por Davis. Serealiza un estudio descriptivo-transversal con la participación de 680 estudiantesuniversitarios, distribuidos en 351 mujeres y hombres, pertenecientes a las áreasde física y matemáticas, social y humanista, química y biológica. Los resultadosmuestran diferencias de sexo en tres dimensiones del inventario con puntajesmayores para las mujeres. No se observaron diferencias en relación con el áreadisciplinar del estudiantado. Existe interacción entre sexo y área disciplinar en lasmujeres físico-matemáticas, quienes obtuvieron puntajes superiores en PersonalDistress, respecto de los demás participantes.

This research explores sex and discipline-area differences in empathy across theInterpersonal Reactivity Index developed by Davis. A descriptive cross-sectionalstudy was performed with the participation of 680 university students, divided into351 women and 329 men belonging to Physics-Mathematics, Social-Humanisticand Biological-Chemistry areas. The results show sex differences in threedimensions of the inventory with higher scores for women. No differences inrelation to the subject area of the students were observed. There is interactionbetween sex and discipline in the mathematical-physicist women who obtainedhigher scores in Personal Distress than other participants.