Schadenfreude as social-functional dominance regulator

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Schadenfreude follows from misfortunes happening to other individuals. It is therefore an essentially social emotion. However, previous research has mainly explored its intrapersonal functions. Complementing these findings, we propose a social-functional approach to schadenfreude. Seven studies (total N 2,362) support that (a) schadenfreude is a reaction to a misfortune befalling an initially dominancedisplaying individual and (b) the public expression of schadenfreude downregulates the dominance of the other person. Specifically, schadenfreude toward initially successful persons was intensified when they displayed dominance (i.e., hubristic pride or general dominance) instead of prestige (i.e., authentic pride or general prestige) or other displays (i.e., embarrassment) following their achievement (Studies 1 to 3). This effect was mediated via inferiors malicious envy (Study 4). The public expression of schadenfreude then reduced the perceived dominance of the initially successful person compared with private expressions of schadenfreude and awkward silence (Studies 5 and 6). This dominance reduction further had downstream consequences for the superior person (Study 7). The findings underline the social functioning of schadenfreude and provide avenues for research on schadenfreude at the intrapersonal, interpersonal, and intergroup level.

Original languageEnglish
JournalEmotion
Volume19
Issue number3
Pages (from-to)489-502
Number of pages14
ISSN1528-3542
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - 01.04.2019

Bibliographical note

Publisher Copyright:
© 2018 American Psychological Association.

    Research areas

  • Psychology
  • Dominance, Envy, Schadenfreude, Social-function of emotions, Status

DOI