Do writers have the ability to put themselves in another person's shoes while writing in order to accurately portray a character's emotions and thoughts?

I believe that you must. You inhabit, an opposing character, to yourself, in the time you write of them. In a small way you have to become that other character to understand them. It is no wonder that so many writers end up in institutions, committing suicide or becoming alcoholics. It is almost a necessity. Schizophrenia is almost inevitable. I have found myself going into shops when having recently finished writing a passage or two, still in the characters head. Acting as though I am them until I eventually return to my senses. I have no doubt that writing has a detrimental affect on your mental health.

But I love it, not the writing (that can be difficult at times) rather; the becoming each and every character, living each of those opposite lives and worrying those other worries. I find that both depressing and exciting at the same time.

I think every writer does this in their own way.