Can you guess what these people are thinking? One doctor claims that passing this psychological test may signal you have high emotional intelligence and empathy
Reading the minds of others is an ultimate superpower.
And now, one doctor claims you may just be able to, if you pass this quick eye test. The London-based medic Dr Sermed Mezher said that answering these questions correctly may signal you have ‘high emotional intelligence’ and a spot-on ability to read the room.
Meanwhile, lower scores are very closely linked to autism, with the ‘Reading the Mind in the Eyes Test’ – or RMET – widely used to help identify neurodivergence among adults. Taking to TikTok on his @drsermedmezher account, Dr Mezher said: “Psychological test. Can you tell someone’s emotions just from the expression of their eyes?
“Low scores have an association with autism and high scores have an association with empathy and being a woman. So, do you think this expression is playful, comforting, irritated or bored?”
Dr Mezher first zoomed into the following black-and-white image of just one man’s eyes, which are looking straight down the camera lens. This was made publicly available by the Autism Research Centre at the University of Cambridge, following the 1997 study which which trialled RMET for the very first time.
While you may be tempted to say this man is ‘comforting’ or ‘bored’, the correct answer is actually ‘playful’. Dr Mezher continued: “Do you think this expression is terrified, upset, arrogant or annoyed?”
The creator then zooms in on another black-and-white picture of what appears to be an older man, furrowing his brow.
Have you guessed it yet? The answer is ‘upset’.
Dr Mezher explained: “The ability to decipher someone’s expression solely through their eyes is a remarkable skill that strongly correlates with emotional intelligence. Our eyes are often referred to as the ‘windows to the soul’, as they can reveal a wealth of information about a person’s emotional state and inner thoughts.
“Emotional intelligence encompasses the capacity to perceive, understand, and manage one’s own emotions, as well as to recognise and empathise with the emotions of others. When it comes to reading expressions through the eyes, emotional intelligence plays a crucial role.”
By honing this skill, the medic also claimed that humans can establish ‘deeper connections with others’, getting ‘valuable insights’ into a person’s emotional well-being and intentions. He continued: “They can demonstrate empathy and understanding, offering support and comfort when needed. The ability to read eye expressions also aids in conflict resolution, as it helps identify underlying emotions and promotes effective communication.”
Unsurprisingly, the comment section was soon flooded with users claiming they’d tried out the test for themselves. One person wrote: “I literally only see eyes idk how people see expressions,” as others chimed in: “I thought the first one was playful but I didn’t trust myself and thought it was too easy, so I went with irritated,” and: “I got one, but I guess that checks out cause I’m autistic.”
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