Schadenfreude: A Conceptual Review
Schadenfreude: A Conceptual Review

Summary/Abstract: People can react differently to others' misfortune. Sometimes these reactions manifest as shared sadness, while at other times they appear as subtle or overt pleasure in others' distress. The German term "Schadenfreude" captures this latter type of reaction. Schadenfreude refers to a feeling of satisfaction or joy in response to someone else's failure, misfortune, or pain. This feeling represents a complex phenomenon that affects both internal psychological processes and external expressions, and a deeper understanding of schadenfreude calls for further research in the literature. This article's primary purpose is to contribute to the existing knowledge by offering both theoretical and practical perspectives on schadenfreude. The paper focuses on defining the concept of schadenfreude, its causes, the psychosocial variables related to it, and its impact on mental health. Schadenfreude emerges primarily due to three factors: individual characteristics, a sense of justice, and social comparison. The paper discusses how emotional and social factors, such as low empathy levels, jealousy, competitiveness, and social comparison, influence the emergence of schadenfreude. Additionally, studies on schadenfreude and the measurement tools used to assess it are examined. Finally, the need for further research on schadenfreude is emphasized.

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