Scientists found that orang-utans had a sense of empathy and mimicry which forms an essential part of laughter.

BBC: RELATED BBC SITES

Research presented in the current issue of the journal Infancy found that parents can influence a child's ability to help and share with others and to show a sense of empathy by discussing emotions with their toddlers.

WSJ: Wise Beyond Their Years: What Babies Really Know

The most benign explanation for this (hat-tip to my wife for suggesting) is that perhaps these personality tests, and the concept of personality types, is simply a way that businesses try to inculcate a rudimentary sense of empathy, in a scalable way.

FORBES: What type of business person believes in personality tests?

When you are among the youngest of nine children, you develop a strong sense of empathy.

WHITEHOUSE: 2010 Presidential Medal of Freedom Ceremony

Again, it requires a deep understanding and sense of empathy with the challenges and dilemmas faced.

FORBES: A Letter From Davos

It, too, is now a piece of grammar, soliciting the same sense of empathy and group membership that LOL does.

CNN: LOL isn't funny anymore

This is great news because our right brain is responsible for empathy, connection, our sense of a greater meaning in life, and surprise surprise, the processing of stories.

FORBES: The Right Side of Your Brain, Acts of Kindness, and The Power of a Story