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Exploring schadenfreude from the perspectives of deservingness and terror management theories
Bağdat Deniz Kaynak1, Derya Hasdağ2
1TED University.
Abstract:
One of the most important characteristics of the human species is its tendency to collaborate with others and help them in times of adversity. However, some individuals may experience pleasure from the negative events that happen to others, known as schadenfreude. This study investigates schadenfreude within the frameworks of deservingness and terror management theories. An experimental study utilizing a 2 × 2 between-subjects factorial design was conducted with 247 participants (150 females, 97 males), and they were randomly assigned to four conditions. Participants' schadenfreude levels were measured through vignettes following deservingness and mortality salience manipulations. Findings indicated that participants felt more schadenfreude toward individuals who achieved success undeservedly (low deservingness) than those who achieved it deservedly (high deservingness). However, there was no significant main effect of mortality salience nor significant interaction effects. The results suggest that deservingness is a crucial variable for understanding schadenfreude, while mortality salience does not show a significant effect.
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