The Dark Side of Satisfaction: Exploring the Socio- Demographic Correlates of Schadenfreude

Abstract

Schadenfreude is a complex emotion produced by another person’s struggle or adversity. This study examines the difference in Schadenfreude in terms of gender, birth order, and family structure. The study has been conducted among a sample of 323 young adults with 57.3% males, in various districts of West Bengal, using cross-sectional design. Data is analysed using t-tests and ANOVA. The results show a significant difference in gender in the overall theoretical construct of schadenfreude and its subdivisions of justice and rivalry, with males scoring higher than females except in aggression-based schadenfreude. The results also depict that there is no role of birth order and family structure in terms of schadenfreude.