Have you ever felt a little rush of joy after seeing the downfall of
someone you don’t particularly like? This is what psychologists refer to as
“schadenfreude”—the joy we feel at others’ misfortune. We’ve all felt it at
some point or another.
While it’s generally considered a socially undesirable emotion, is it all
that bad? Research shows that our enjoyment of others’ misfortunes can be both beneficial
and detrimental. Here’s how.
The Benefits Of
Schadenfreude
A study published
in the European Review of Social Psychology sought to explain
when and why people feel schadenfreude. Through their research, the authors
found that people feel schadenfreude most intensely when it provides them with
social comparisons that increase their sense of self-worth.
PROMOTED
Additional research appearing
in New Ideas in Psychology further deconstructed the
experience of schadenfreude into three interrelated forms—aggression, rivalry
and justice. The researchers explain that:
1. Rivalry schadenfreude is
borne out of our need to make social comparisons, focused on our own social
status in comparison to the sufferer.
2. Aggression schadenfreude
stems from a sense of social identity; it helps us draw a line between “them”
and “us,” the outgroup we don’t like and our own “superior” ingroup. This way,
the misfortune of the outgroup can feel rewarding.
3. Justice schadenfreude
reminds us that individuals who violate social justice will be punished in some
way and that, in a roundabout way, is our reward for sticking to our
principles.
Sometimes, watching other people fail makes us feel better about
ourselves. For instance, we’ve all secretly enjoyed that tiny ego boost when
our not-so-favorite coworker messes up a project. Psychologists refer to this
as “downward social comparison.” It’s like a shot of self-esteem, reminding you
that you may not be so bad after all, and that others are worse off.
Other times, schadenfreude can feel like a dose of cosmic justice. When a
repeat offender in the bad-behavior department gets their karma, you can’t help
but feel a sense of justice served. It feels like the universe is giving them a
little nudge to shape up. This can help maintain a sense of fairness in our
social world.
From these perspectives, schadenfreude serves as a psychological shield
against feelings of inadequacy, reminding us that we’re not alone in our
imperfections. It helps us navigate our own feelings of self-doubt,
highlighting that others too have their moments of weakness.
The Harms Of
Schadenfreude
As good as it
feels to be a hater in the moment, indulging in your
schadenfreude too much can strain your relationships and drain your empathy
reserves. Relishing in others’ misfortunes can make it hard to connect with
their feelings or offer them a shoulder to cry on. It might even place you on a
lonely island of judgmentalism, slowly morphing you into a pessimistic and
unempathetic Grinch.
One study investigated
the associationes between envy, stereotypes and schadenfreude. Concerningly,
the authors explained that when an outgroup is envied, the ingroup’s
experienced pleasure at the outgroup’s misfortune was associated with a
willingness to harm outgroup members.
Unbridled schadenfreude can put your moral compass in jeopardy, and might
leave you preying on the downfall of others. In serious cases, overindulgence
in schadenfreude could even lead to taking actions to ensure their downfall.
When you take joy in others’ pain without considering the bigger picture, you
might start sliding down a slippery slope of ethical ambiguity. This could lead
to a less compassionate, more judgmental you, or even worse.
How To Moderate
Your Schadenfreude
The secret to taming the emotional beast of schadenfreude is moderation
and self-awareness. While experiencing it doesn’t mean you’re a bad person,
giving in to it too often could be detrimental. In the future, take a moment to
pause and ask yourself why you’re feeling schadenfreude. Is it for the secret
self-esteem boost? For a sense of standing up for justice? Or is it maybe a bad
habit spiraling out of control?
By pausing to understand the root of your emotions, you can gain insight
into your own psyche, fostering emotional intelligence and striving for a more
balanced and empathetic response. Remember, it’s not about eradicating
schadenfreude altogether, but about wielding it as a tool for personal growth.
Conclusion
In a world where kindness and understanding matter, mastering our
emotions, including schadenfreude, is a crucial part of personal growth. So,
the next time you feel that tiny jolt of satisfaction when your frenemy
stumbles, take a moment to reflect. Embrace the goodness of your morality and
sense of self, but be wary of the ugly sides of your secret schadenfreude.
If you’d like to take the Schadenfreude Scale and receive
your results, you can follow this link: The
Schadenfreude Scale
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