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Spot the Empathetic Response

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Specification

The full specification below is extracted from Chapter 7: Mental And Emotional Health.

Type: microsim
**sim-id:** spot-the-empathetic-response<br/>
**Library:** p5.js<br/>
**Status:** Specified

Bloom Taxonomy: Apply (L3)
Bloom Taxonomy Verb: demonstrate, apply, practice

Learning objective: Students demonstrate recognition of empathetic responses in friendships by choosing the most empathetic reply to a friend's statement from several options.

Canvas layout: Top (100px) shows a speech-bubble box with a friend's statement (e.g., "I didn't make the team," "I got a new puppy!", "I'm nervous about the test"). Middle (300px) shows three response-choice buttons — one empathetic, one dismissive, one self-centered. Bottom (100px) is a feedback panel.

Interactive controls: Click a response choice; "Next Scenario" and "Reset" buttons.

Default parameters: Starts on scenario 1 of 5 prepared scenarios.

Behavior: Clicking a response reveals whether it was the most empathetic choice and explains why in one or two sentences before advancing.

Instructional Rationale: Apply-level objective, so realistic scenario choices with immediate explanatory feedback replace passive viewing.

Implementation notes: Use p5.js. Keep scenarios everyday friendship moments only — no bullying or mental-health-challenge content here.