Leiden University Scholarly Publications

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Smith, R.H.; Van Dijk, W.W. (2018)

Schadenfreude and Gluckschmerz

Article / Letter to editor
We explore why people feel the socially improper emotions of schadenfreude (pleasure at another person’s or group’s misfortune) and gluckschmerz (pain at another person’s or group’s good fortune). One explanation follows from sentiment relations. Prior dislike leads to both schadenfreude and gluckschmerz. A second explanation relates to concerns over justice. Deserved misfortune is pleasing and undeserved good fortune is displeasing. A third explanation concerns appraisal of the good or bad fortunes of others as creating either benefit or harm for the self or in-group. Especially in competitive situations and when envy is present, gain is pleasing and loss is displeasing. Both emotions have important implications for understanding human relations at the individual and group levels.
All authors
Smith, R.H.; Van Dijk, W.W.
Date
2018
Volume
10
Issue
4
Pages
293 - 304
DOI
doi:10.1177/1754073918765657
Link
https://journals.sagepub.com/doi/10.1177/1754073918765657