According to Social Comparison Theory, schadenfreude tends to be stronger when we take joy in the pain and suffering of someone we perceive to have a higher status than us.

Question

BlackTom AI · Accepted Answer

The statement presents a claim about Social Comparison Theory and schadenfreude in relation to perceived status differences.
First, consider what Social Comparison Theory suggests: people evaluate themselves by comparing with others, and feelings (including pleasure or Schadenfreude) can be amplified when the comparison makes someone else appear higher in status or success.
If we interpret the claim literally, it posits that schadenfreude—enjoyment of others' misfortune—is stronger when the target of that misfortune is someone we view as higher status than us. This aligns with some research that people may feel a sense of relief or validation when someone they see as superior experiences a setback, thereby reducing upward social threat. In such cases, the emotional payoff can be more pronounced than when the person is of equal or lower status.
Now, turning to potential counterpoints: if schadenfreude were strongest toward those of lower status, it would imply a different dynamic, one rooted in dominance or in-group biases that favor the self or ingroup members. However, the specific claim about higher-status targets fits a recognized pattern under social comparison, where upward comparisons and the associated threat can paradoxically generate stronger satisfaction in another’s misfortune as a coping or evaluative mechanism.
From a reasoning standpoint, the statement is coherent with the idea that perceived status gaps influence the intensity of social emotions, including schadenfreude. If we were to critique it, we might note that the strength of schadenfreude can also depend on other factors such as personal relevance, moral judgments about the misfortune, or the closeness of the relationship, but those considerations do not invalidate the core link between higher-status perception and stronger schadenfreude in this theoretical framing.
In summary, given the interpretation of Social Comparison Theory and the documented patterns of affective responses to others' misfortune, the claim that schadenfreude tends to be stronger when the target has higher status is plausible and defensible within this theoretical lens.

PSYC_V 208 991 2025W1 Quiz 9 - Freudenfreude versus Schadenfreude

According to Social Comparison Theory, schadenfreude tends to be stronger when we take joy in the pain and suffering of someone we perceive to have a higher status than us.

View Explanation

Log in for full answers

Similar Questions

Nicole’s mother bought her a used skateboard for her thirteenth birthday. She was excited until she learned that the girl next door received a brand-new skateboard for Christmas. Nicole’s declining satisfaction illustrates

You experience downward social comparison and schadenfreude when you take joy when others fail, and in situations where you perceive that you are better or more deserving.

Jenn didn’t do as well as she would have liked on the first 3325 exam. She wants to motivate herself to do better on the next exam. Her primary goal is to improve herself. To whom would it be most useful for Jenn to compare herself?

When we want accurate self-information we are most likely to compare ourselves to others, this is called:

Perceiving yourself as a fast runner because you are faster than a small child is a (biased) example of a(n) _, whereas perceiving yourself as a slow runner because you are slower than Usain Bolt is a (biased) example of a(n) ____.

Which of the following app-based strategies is most likely to have an adverse psychological impact, despite seeming wellbeing-oriented?

Axel believes he is attractive because he perceives everyone else around him to be ugly. Which of the following theories of self-knowledge is most relevant to explaining Axel’s self-beliefs?

More Practical Tools for International Students

Exam Browser Assistant

Stylized Writing Assistant

Plagiarism Checker Assistant

Citation Assistant

In-Class Translation Assistant

Class Notes Assistant

Quiz Search Assistant

Past Exam Questions by School

Smart Practice Assistant

Adaptive Practice

Making Your Study Simpler

PSYC_V 208 991 2025W1 Quiz 9 - Freudenfreude versus Schadenfreude

According to Social Comparison Theory, schadenfreude tends to be stronger when we take joy in the pain and suffering of someone we perceive to have a higher status than us.

View Explanation

Log in for full answers

Similar Questions

Nicole’s mother bought her a used skateboard for her thirteenth birthday. She was excited until she learned that the girl next door received a brand-new skateboard for Christmas. Nicole’s declining satisfaction illustrates

You experience downward social comparison and schadenfreude when you take joy when others fail, and in situations where you perceive that you are better or more deserving.

Jenn didn’t do as well as she would have liked on the first 3325 exam. She wants to motivate herself to do better on the next exam. Her primary goal is to improve herself. To whom would it be most useful for Jenn to compare herself?

When we want accurate self-information we are most likely to compare ourselves to others, this is called:

Perceiving yourself as a fast runner because you are faster than a small child is a (biased) example of a(n) _____________, whereas perceiving yourself as a slow runner because you are slower than Usain Bolt is a (biased) example of a(n) ________________.

Which of the following app-based strategies is most likely to have an adverse psychological impact, despite seeming wellbeing-oriented?

Axel believes he is attractive because he perceives everyone else around him to be ugly. Which of the following theories of self-knowledge is most relevant to explaining Axel’s self-beliefs?

More Practical Tools for International Students

Exam Browser Assistant

Stylized Writing Assistant

Plagiarism Checker Assistant

Citation Assistant

In-Class Translation Assistant

Class Notes Assistant

Quiz Search Assistant

Past Exam Questions by School

Smart Practice Assistant

Adaptive Practice

Making Your Study Simpler

Perceiving yourself as a fast runner because you are faster than a small child is a (biased) example of a(n) _, whereas perceiving yourself as a slow runner because you are slower than Usain Bolt is a (biased) example of a(n) ____.