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The Joy of Pain: Schadenfreude and the Dark Side of Human Nature
Few people will easily admit to taking pleasure in the misfortunes of others. But who doesn't enjoy it when an arrogant but untalented contestant is humiliated on American Idol, or when the embarrassing vice of a self-righteous politician is exposed, or even when an envied friend suffers a small setback? The truth is that joy in someone else's pain-known by the German word schadenfreude --permeates our society.
In The Joy of Pain, psychologist Richard Smith, one of the world's foremost authorities on envy and shame, sheds much light on a feeling we dare not admit. Smith argues that schadenfreude is a natural human emotion, one worth taking a closer look at, as it reveals much about who we are as human beings. We have a passion for justice. Sometimes, schadenfreude can feel like getting one's revenge, when the suffering person has previously harmed us. But most of us are also motivated to feel good about ourselves, Smith notes, and look for ways to maintain a positive sense of self. One common way to do this is to compare ourselves to others and find areas where we are better. Similarly, the downfall of others--especially when they have seemed superior to us--can lead to a boost in our self-esteem, a lessening of feelings of inferiority. This is often at the root of schadenfreude. As the author points out, most instances of schadenfreude are harmless, on par with the pleasures of light
gossip. Yet we must also be mindful that envy can motivate, without full awareness, the engineering of the misfortune we delight in. And envy-induced aggression can take us into dark territory indeed, as Smith shows as he examines the role of envy and schadenfreude in the Nazi persecution of the Jews.
Filled with engaging examples of schadenfreude, from popular reality shows to the Duke-Kentucky basketball rivalry, The Joy of Pain provides an intriguing glimpse into a hidden corner of the human psyche.
In The Joy of Pain, psychologist Richard Smith, one of the world's foremost authorities on envy and shame, sheds much light on a feeling we dare not admit. Smith argues that schadenfreude is a natural human emotion, one worth taking a closer look at, as it reveals much about who we are as human beings. We have a passion for justice. Sometimes, schadenfreude can feel like getting one's revenge, when the suffering person has previously harmed us. But most of us are also motivated to feel good about ourselves, Smith notes, and look for ways to maintain a positive sense of self. One common way to do this is to compare ourselves to others and find areas where we are better. Similarly, the downfall of others--especially when they have seemed superior to us--can lead to a boost in our self-esteem, a lessening of feelings of inferiority. This is often at the root of schadenfreude. As the author points out, most instances of schadenfreude are harmless, on par with the pleasures of light
gossip. Yet we must also be mindful that envy can motivate, without full awareness, the engineering of the misfortune we delight in. And envy-induced aggression can take us into dark territory indeed, as Smith shows as he examines the role of envy and schadenfreude in the Nazi persecution of the Jews.
Filled with engaging examples of schadenfreude, from popular reality shows to the Duke-Kentucky basketball rivalry, The Joy of Pain provides an intriguing glimpse into a hidden corner of the human psyche.
238 pages, Hardcover
First published January 1, 2013
44 people are currently reading
1244 people want to read
About the author
Richard H. Smith
12 books11 followersRichard Smith is a social psychologist and writer of nonfiction and fiction. He has written or edited books on envy, jealousy, and schadenfreude. His first novel, Blockbuster, was published in June 2020. He also writes a blog for Psychology Today and dabbles in photography.
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February 11, 2016
Schadenfreude: Celebrating “Anesthesia of the Heart”
I didn’t like this book as much as I’d hoped, clearly because I am so much more intelligent than the author, and he is only a moderately talented writer.
Sorry. That’s my Schadenfreude talking.
Schadenfreude is that familiar sense of pleasure many (most? all?) of us experience when bad things happen to certain people we dislike or are envious of — arrogant celebrities, hypocritical politicians, professional rivals, ex lovers, people of higher (and, oddly, lower) social status, etc.
The author builds the case that Schadenfreude helps humans — the animal, arguably, that is most keenly aware of social positioning, and the most cripplingly reliant upon self worth — deal with the reality that we’re not perfect, nor really even that clever, and that many others are far more successful than us.
Some back-stabby narcissist gets the sweet promotion at work. Some balding sociopath with bad teeth gets the girl or boy of our dreams. Some talentless hack writer gets the accolades and movie deals. Some lying politician we voted for is caught with his pants down. The star player on the sports team we hate is injured and out for the season. That’s when Schadenfreude rears it’s ugly head and reminds us that we were probably better than any of them anyway, and this is what happens to the undeserving. “Don’t worry,” it tells us. “You don’t have to think of yourself as inferior … THEY were clearly inferior. They cheated to get ahead or took shortcuts or were lucky. And they deserved to be found out.” Only then does the universe make sense again.
It also works in the negative, allowing us to transfer our sense of inferiority outward and brand “the other” as a beneath us and deserving of misfortune. Obviously, this can turn out poorly in cases like Nazi Germany.
Schadenfreude, then, is basically an emotional GPS system that allows us to navigate through challenging social situations and external challenges and always arrive back at the desired destination: intact and unruffled self-exceptionalism. After all, if we didn’t feel disproportionately special, how could we ever plod ahead in this cold, cruel world, surrounded by far too many chances to fail. And then die. And then be forgotten.
The book is long on descriptions and illustrative examples but seemed a little short on the science, peppered with just enough classic psychological studies to keep it interesting.
A few of the problem areas: I found the defense of those ensnared by “To Catch a Predator” perplexing (those who seek to manipulate minors being manipulated by the ‘humilitainment industry’ [his words] are low on my sympathy list). The final chapter — the “what to do with this knowledge” section common in many such nonfiction books — felt tacked on and designed for those who might want to feel we’re not simply adrift and at the mercy of our own probably shoddy and overcompensating wiring. “Be more empathetic” is clearly a positive life goal regardless of how well one understands the mechanism of Schadenfreude, but that’s a topic for a slew of self-help books with quizzes at the end of each chapter.
The long, almost penultimate chapter on Tiger Woods and the Schadenfreude generated by his fall from grace was also a puzzler. I was never a fan of Woods, nor golf, but I can’t imagine that such an intense amount of Schadenfreude emanating from his trials and tribulations could be generated by those who were simply envious of him all along. Rather, it seemed something else was in play — so many fans must have enjoyed his talent, they were invested in him and thus disappointed to see it all wasted due to his insatiable drives off the green.
And that led me to wonder if Schadenfreude is also a cushion for disappointment as well as a way of internalizing envy and feelings of insecurity to avoid social distancing and deal with cognitive dissonance and a paralyzing ennui. If so, it seems more like a catch-all phrase than some grand revelation. And if Schadenfreude is a panacea, a reactive response that helps us muddle through anything that threatens our bubble of self-exceptionalism — envy, insecurity, disappointment, hate, recognition of our own flaws, and all the other nasty little feelings that perplex us — perhaps it’s just “being human.”
Still, worth the read for the insights lurking in lines such as “we are biased in our perceptions of deservingness” (in that our Schadenfreude tends to blame inferior personality when bad things happen to others and blame circumstances when they happen to us) and a study that shows “the presence of a vegetarian can make an omnivore self-conscious.” (see, we really don’t preach, your Schadenfreude just makes it feel that way!). And my favorite: “Any factor that amplifies the benefits of other’s misfortunes for ourselves, such as competition, should promote ‘anesthesia of the heart…’”
I didn’t like this book as much as I’d hoped, clearly because I am so much more intelligent than the author, and he is only a moderately talented writer.
Sorry. That’s my Schadenfreude talking.
Schadenfreude is that familiar sense of pleasure many (most? all?) of us experience when bad things happen to certain people we dislike or are envious of — arrogant celebrities, hypocritical politicians, professional rivals, ex lovers, people of higher (and, oddly, lower) social status, etc.
The author builds the case that Schadenfreude helps humans — the animal, arguably, that is most keenly aware of social positioning, and the most cripplingly reliant upon self worth — deal with the reality that we’re not perfect, nor really even that clever, and that many others are far more successful than us.
Some back-stabby narcissist gets the sweet promotion at work. Some balding sociopath with bad teeth gets the girl or boy of our dreams. Some talentless hack writer gets the accolades and movie deals. Some lying politician we voted for is caught with his pants down. The star player on the sports team we hate is injured and out for the season. That’s when Schadenfreude rears it’s ugly head and reminds us that we were probably better than any of them anyway, and this is what happens to the undeserving. “Don’t worry,” it tells us. “You don’t have to think of yourself as inferior … THEY were clearly inferior. They cheated to get ahead or took shortcuts or were lucky. And they deserved to be found out.” Only then does the universe make sense again.
It also works in the negative, allowing us to transfer our sense of inferiority outward and brand “the other” as a beneath us and deserving of misfortune. Obviously, this can turn out poorly in cases like Nazi Germany.
Schadenfreude, then, is basically an emotional GPS system that allows us to navigate through challenging social situations and external challenges and always arrive back at the desired destination: intact and unruffled self-exceptionalism. After all, if we didn’t feel disproportionately special, how could we ever plod ahead in this cold, cruel world, surrounded by far too many chances to fail. And then die. And then be forgotten.
The book is long on descriptions and illustrative examples but seemed a little short on the science, peppered with just enough classic psychological studies to keep it interesting.
A few of the problem areas: I found the defense of those ensnared by “To Catch a Predator” perplexing (those who seek to manipulate minors being manipulated by the ‘humilitainment industry’ [his words] are low on my sympathy list). The final chapter — the “what to do with this knowledge” section common in many such nonfiction books — felt tacked on and designed for those who might want to feel we’re not simply adrift and at the mercy of our own probably shoddy and overcompensating wiring. “Be more empathetic” is clearly a positive life goal regardless of how well one understands the mechanism of Schadenfreude, but that’s a topic for a slew of self-help books with quizzes at the end of each chapter.
The long, almost penultimate chapter on Tiger Woods and the Schadenfreude generated by his fall from grace was also a puzzler. I was never a fan of Woods, nor golf, but I can’t imagine that such an intense amount of Schadenfreude emanating from his trials and tribulations could be generated by those who were simply envious of him all along. Rather, it seemed something else was in play — so many fans must have enjoyed his talent, they were invested in him and thus disappointed to see it all wasted due to his insatiable drives off the green.
And that led me to wonder if Schadenfreude is also a cushion for disappointment as well as a way of internalizing envy and feelings of insecurity to avoid social distancing and deal with cognitive dissonance and a paralyzing ennui. If so, it seems more like a catch-all phrase than some grand revelation. And if Schadenfreude is a panacea, a reactive response that helps us muddle through anything that threatens our bubble of self-exceptionalism — envy, insecurity, disappointment, hate, recognition of our own flaws, and all the other nasty little feelings that perplex us — perhaps it’s just “being human.”
Still, worth the read for the insights lurking in lines such as “we are biased in our perceptions of deservingness” (in that our Schadenfreude tends to blame inferior personality when bad things happen to others and blame circumstances when they happen to us) and a study that shows “the presence of a vegetarian can make an omnivore self-conscious.” (see, we really don’t preach, your Schadenfreude just makes it feel that way!). And my favorite: “Any factor that amplifies the benefits of other’s misfortunes for ourselves, such as competition, should promote ‘anesthesia of the heart…’”
October 17, 2013
This is a great book that speaks of a common human nature that would relate to all of us (when we willing to admit its presence).
Schadenfreude is related to be:
1. Result of social comparison
2. Motivates by inferior complex and low self esteem
3. Intensifies in groups than among individuals alone
4. Most readily observed among sportsman and politicians
5. Transmutable into envy and "righteous" ends which can be very destructive
6. Possibly the result of the Jewish holocaust
7. Avoided by the effortful focus on the circumstances surrounding the misfortune, invoking empathy rather than schadenfreude.
I like the last part about focusing on the circumstances to circumvent schadenfreude. It would transform a seemingly callous response into a humanistic outreach of unfortunate soul. Eventually, no one really like schadenfreude (and be happy in it), if we are honest about ourselves.
Schadenfreude is related to be:
1. Result of social comparison
2. Motivates by inferior complex and low self esteem
3. Intensifies in groups than among individuals alone
4. Most readily observed among sportsman and politicians
5. Transmutable into envy and "righteous" ends which can be very destructive
6. Possibly the result of the Jewish holocaust
7. Avoided by the effortful focus on the circumstances surrounding the misfortune, invoking empathy rather than schadenfreude.
I like the last part about focusing on the circumstances to circumvent schadenfreude. It would transform a seemingly callous response into a humanistic outreach of unfortunate soul. Eventually, no one really like schadenfreude (and be happy in it), if we are honest about ourselves.
August 3, 2014
Dr. Smith does a marvelous job using relatable, entertaining, and often comical modern examples of the dark phenomenon known as Schadenfreude. Smith's conversational prose makes the empirical evidence all the more accessible, and his wit makes the reading process all the more enjoyable. If you're someone that values self-awareness, and you have the courage to contemplate the notion that humans root for other humans to suffer or do poorly at times, then this book will be enlightening for you. In my own opinion, this is the preeminent read on the Schadenfreude phenomenon because it proves (without going on a pedestal) that all of us are guilty at times; it's not just an affliction of the wicked. Smith lowers the veil and shows us how Schadenfreude can rear its ugly head in our lives with something as simple as mocking reality TV stars. All in all, I love this book because it was enriching. It's entertaining, informative, and more than anything, AUTHENTIC. I appreciate Smith's expert insight into the schadenfreude phenomenon; and I'm grateful that I can be more self-aware and extinguish its existence in my own life.
December 3, 2020
I am generally a big believer of the 'one shitty chapter doesn't ruin the book' school of thought.
But when started going on about how the holocaust could be attributed to schadenfreude. And then he cited Denis Prager as a source on anti sentient. I peaced tfo. It made me think about how all the studies he cited throughout the otherwise interesting book could have been shoddy too.
Yoof. Do not blame Jews for their own oppression yooo.
But when started going on about how the holocaust could be attributed to schadenfreude. And then he cited Denis Prager as a source on anti sentient. I peaced tfo. It made me think about how all the studies he cited throughout the otherwise interesting book could have been shoddy too.
Yoof. Do not blame Jews for their own oppression yooo.
October 27, 2020
"Most of us are motivated to feel good about ourselves; we look for ways to maintain a positive sense of self. One reliable way to do this is to discover that we are better than others on valued attributes. When our self-esteem is shaky, comparing ourselves with someone inferior can help us feel better."
And that is what separates those emotionally mature from emotionally immature beings.
"People differ in ways that consistently matter in terms of survival and reproduction. Attributes that underlie greater dominance or prestige compared to rivals allow us to rise in the pecking order and accrue benefits as a result. How much we attend to social comparisons is nowhere more obvious than in the mating game. This makes sense in evolutionary terms because reproductive advantage is the bottom line."
Ah yes, it all comes down to biology and our very essence of existence - reproduction. As if once a human has decided not to have offsprings, he is deemed "useless", "a waste", "genetically rebellious", "again nature". All matters alive seem to be created (and destined) for reproduction. For the few humans who are elevated from this biological base and have transcended from the fleshy to the higher extensions, I am proud to call you a true woke outcast.
"The process of evolution is likely to disfavour those who are fully at east having low status because those with low status have less access to resources and are less preferred by potential mates."
What about those who chose to live a poor life of nomadic travel (van lifers)? One often happy sees couples touring in their 50-year old Volkswagen vans. Surely more people see through the facade of "living to work" and chose to the other end of the spectrum: chasing freedom at all costs.
"More typically, our natural tendencies tug us in at least two directions: one toward narrow self-interest and schadenfreude, the other toward the interests of others and empathy. Neither direction fully captures human nature. In many aspects man is the most ruthlessly ferocious of beasts. As with all gregarious animals, two souls dwell within his breast, the one of sociability and helpfulness, the other of jealousy and antagonism to his ages. Though in a general way he cannot live without them, yet, as regards to certain individuals, it often falls out that he cannot live with them either."
Ode to the complexity of humans. Aren't we just lovely.
And that is what separates those emotionally mature from emotionally immature beings.
"People differ in ways that consistently matter in terms of survival and reproduction. Attributes that underlie greater dominance or prestige compared to rivals allow us to rise in the pecking order and accrue benefits as a result. How much we attend to social comparisons is nowhere more obvious than in the mating game. This makes sense in evolutionary terms because reproductive advantage is the bottom line."
Ah yes, it all comes down to biology and our very essence of existence - reproduction. As if once a human has decided not to have offsprings, he is deemed "useless", "a waste", "genetically rebellious", "again nature". All matters alive seem to be created (and destined) for reproduction. For the few humans who are elevated from this biological base and have transcended from the fleshy to the higher extensions, I am proud to call you a true woke outcast.
"The process of evolution is likely to disfavour those who are fully at east having low status because those with low status have less access to resources and are less preferred by potential mates."
What about those who chose to live a poor life of nomadic travel (van lifers)? One often happy sees couples touring in their 50-year old Volkswagen vans. Surely more people see through the facade of "living to work" and chose to the other end of the spectrum: chasing freedom at all costs.
"More typically, our natural tendencies tug us in at least two directions: one toward narrow self-interest and schadenfreude, the other toward the interests of others and empathy. Neither direction fully captures human nature. In many aspects man is the most ruthlessly ferocious of beasts. As with all gregarious animals, two souls dwell within his breast, the one of sociability and helpfulness, the other of jealousy and antagonism to his ages. Though in a general way he cannot live without them, yet, as regards to certain individuals, it often falls out that he cannot live with them either."
Ode to the complexity of humans. Aren't we just lovely.
September 3, 2020
resolvi ler por ser referência bibliográfica de um vídeo da contrapoints, que eu amo, e o livro foi bem interessante! ele é bem redundante em alguns momentos, mas gostei de algumas perspectivas que o autor trouxe sobre como schadenfreude e a inveja afetam nosso dia a dia e nossas relações
February 7, 2017
Schadenfreude: pleasure derived by someone from another persons misfortune
Everyone has felt the darker side of human nature, but no one likes to talk about it. That little burst of joy that comes when your most productive and competitive coworker misses a deadline. The joy in a sports game when a star player from the other team suddenly breaks his leg. The feeling of justice when a murderer is sentenced to a life behind bars. The giddy feeling when your seemingly perfect neighbors beautiful wife cheats on him and takes his beautiful cars and house with her.
In his book, The Joy of Pain, Richard Smith brings to light this darker side of human nature, and attempts to create a space to have a proper conversation about it. Smith attempts to rationalize and make sense of the conflicting feelings that humans have with these darker emotions, and to prove that in a world where humans have been in a constant battle of the fittest with each other, feelings such as envy and schadenfreude were integral in clawing our way to the top.
However, Smith attempts to prove this point using very little actual science, and a series of social psychology tests that leave a little to be desired. His repeated reference to the Simpsons and their various acts of schadenfreude, and his tendency to linger too long on the details when presenting an example had my eyes glazing over at points. It is for this reason that I have rated the book 3 stars.
Everyone has felt the darker side of human nature, but no one likes to talk about it. That little burst of joy that comes when your most productive and competitive coworker misses a deadline. The joy in a sports game when a star player from the other team suddenly breaks his leg. The feeling of justice when a murderer is sentenced to a life behind bars. The giddy feeling when your seemingly perfect neighbors beautiful wife cheats on him and takes his beautiful cars and house with her.
In his book, The Joy of Pain, Richard Smith brings to light this darker side of human nature, and attempts to create a space to have a proper conversation about it. Smith attempts to rationalize and make sense of the conflicting feelings that humans have with these darker emotions, and to prove that in a world where humans have been in a constant battle of the fittest with each other, feelings such as envy and schadenfreude were integral in clawing our way to the top.
However, Smith attempts to prove this point using very little actual science, and a series of social psychology tests that leave a little to be desired. His repeated reference to the Simpsons and their various acts of schadenfreude, and his tendency to linger too long on the details when presenting an example had my eyes glazing over at points. It is for this reason that I have rated the book 3 stars.
March 6, 2014
Intriguing meditation on the all too human emotion of schadenfreude: getting pleasure from the discomfort of others. Since I've identified this phenomena as the basis of all of reality TV, or as Smith terms it, humiltainment, it explore the why's and hows of the psychology. Using familiar anecdotes and famous figures from sports and politics, (i,e, woods, Armstrong, Clinton, Weiner, Swaggert, Lincoln) Smith breaks down the origins and evolutionary benefits. Makes one re-examine ideas of envy, "deservedness" and why you feel good when someone else suffers. Interesting take on the progression from German envy of the Jews to genocide.
Read
April 20, 2014"Smith makes this journey into the darker tendencies of human nature an accessibly rousing read. Probably best serving as a gateway to more in-depth psychological writings, The Joy of Pain is nevertheless a well-thought-out, researched, and enlightening book on the nature of one of the most prevalent, complex, and least-studied human emotions." - Tony Beaulieu, Norman, Oklahoma
This book was reviewed in the March 2014 issue of World Literature Today. Read the full review by visiting our website: http://bit.ly/1r43Kx7
This book was reviewed in the March 2014 issue of World Literature Today. Read the full review by visiting our website: http://bit.ly/1r43Kx7
Read
October 1, 2016Readable book with plenty of accessible examples, from Martha Stewart and Tiger Woods to the Nazis. As the author points out, nobody wants to admit to envy because of the shame and inherent inferiority that it entails, but we all experience it at times. In fact, it may even be programmed into our DNA as part of our ongoing survival of the fittest competition. I'll admit that I had plenty of cringe-worthy moments as I recognized some of my own behavior, and that may have been why it took me so long to finish this otherwise enlightening, entertaining, and informative book.
January 14, 2019
I really enjoyed this book. Not everyone is going to like it. It’s not a brilliant piece of scientific literature, more a collection of observations and anecdotal evidence.
Nevertheless, for those that are introspective and devout people watchers, this gives you a more deeply nuanced perspective on why some people delight in the misery of others. It gives theories about humanity in general. For me, it helps explain why some people love organized sports, cringe movies, and leave comments on newspaper stories that read “I hope this person is raped in prison!”
Nevertheless, for those that are introspective and devout people watchers, this gives you a more deeply nuanced perspective on why some people delight in the misery of others. It gives theories about humanity in general. For me, it helps explain why some people love organized sports, cringe movies, and leave comments on newspaper stories that read “I hope this person is raped in prison!”
November 7, 2013
While I find the concept of Schadenfreude intriguing, an entire book about it -- though quite interesting at times -- does make for a long slog. I wonder if this was from the author's PhD dissertation?
December 6, 2013
I didn't like it enough to go four starts (mostly due to the repetition of some of it), but really wish I could give three and a half.
I liked how much he brought modern events into the examples, really enjoyed the parts where he talked about "To Catch a Predator" and schadenfreude.
I liked how much he brought modern events into the examples, really enjoyed the parts where he talked about "To Catch a Predator" and schadenfreude.
June 13, 2014
Schadenfreude - wishing the worst for others. Love to dispute the prevalence of this horrid idea, and even more, deny that I have ever been quilty of it. But no way I can. Explains mean girls, but also fully discusses the need many have to do this, and how they justify it. Good read.
August 22, 2016
A well written piece on the causes, effects, and nature of schadenfreude with relatable, relevant, and significant evidence. However, it was more of a brief overview and reflection on the implications of schadenfreude rather than a fully fledged exploration.
to-read-arc-or-galley
April 19, 2013That evil smiley face is making me laugh for some reason, but on a serious note, I'm looking forward to reading this. Thanks NetGalley.
Want to read
August 3, 2013I just got this in the mail can't wait to read.
Want to read
August 13, 2013I would really like to read this book. Richard H.Smith touched rare subject that we really need to know about common mind.
Hope this book will be a another good journey for me :)
Hope this book will be a another good journey for me :)
November 1, 2013
Interesting, but too researchy for my liking. A lot of good things to think about though.
March 10, 2014
Too much fluff to make it book-length, too many references to TV shows and celebrities for my taste, and not much of real substance.
August 21, 2015
Very Intriguing, Schadenfreude is an emotion I never really knew about. This bookgave me a great understanding of this emotion that is found in everyone's lives.
January 30, 2016
Used the speed reading skills to go through this book. Lots of good quotes, and background on why we act how we act.
October 13, 2016
Was a helpful tool for my research
May 2, 2021
La obra no hace otra cosa que colocarnos delante del espejo. Quien diga que no ha sentido alguna vez cierto regocijo por el mal ajeno (merecido a nuestros ojos) creo que miente. Aunque sea una persona sensata, con todo el sentido común del mundo, y respetuosa, estoy convencido de que cada uno de nosotros llevamos ese sentimiento en nuestro tuétano y asoma a veces porque consideramos que nuestra reacción de regocijo y felicidad ante un hecho merecido en el que el mal se adueña de la vida de otro es razonable y natural si es justo.
La Schadenfreude es, con todo, un sentimiento mezquino pero no deja de ser parte de nuestro ADN. El autor trata de confrontarnos con escenarios destintos en que ese sentimiento florece, sus causas y sus consecuencias, en particular, si se acaba transmutando en otros sentimientos aún más deleznables, como el odio.
La Schadenfreude parece ser consecuencia de la envidia que sentimos hacia otro, de un sentimiento de inferioridad con respecto a sus posesiones, sus acciones y sus éxitos, que nace en nosotros cuando vemos a la persona envidiada sufrir cierto mal por el que sentimos predisposición a alegrarnos si la justicia según nosotros se hace realidad. El autor saca a relucir una plétora de ejemplos tanto verídicos, de personas que han sufrido mal para regocijo de sus contrincantes (Tiger Woods), como ficticios, de personas que ven sufrir a otros y que se alegran (merecidamente?) por ello (Salieri en la película Amadeus). Estos ejemplos nos ponen en contexto los motivos tienen los que sienten Schadenfreude para sentirse como se sienten y qué les lleva a actuar de una determinada manera, el contexto y la realidad del caso.
Uno de los capítulos mejor traidos es el que analiza las actuaciones de los nazis contra los judios. Creo que el ejemplo y el análisis llevado en este caso particular son brillantes.
Ha sido una lectura enriquecedora. Para afrontar y analizar un sentimiento tan complejo, el autor hace uso de muy buenos escenarios y situaciones, utiliza una prosa nada enrevesada y fácil de entender para un profano como yo. Cada capítulo se disfruta de principio a fin. Ojalá todos los libros de psicología estuvieran escritos con una prosa tan transparente y sencilla, sin que el lector tenga que poner mucho esfuerzo por su parte para sacarle jugo al contenido, como en este caso.
La Schadenfreude es, con todo, un sentimiento mezquino pero no deja de ser parte de nuestro ADN. El autor trata de confrontarnos con escenarios destintos en que ese sentimiento florece, sus causas y sus consecuencias, en particular, si se acaba transmutando en otros sentimientos aún más deleznables, como el odio.
La Schadenfreude parece ser consecuencia de la envidia que sentimos hacia otro, de un sentimiento de inferioridad con respecto a sus posesiones, sus acciones y sus éxitos, que nace en nosotros cuando vemos a la persona envidiada sufrir cierto mal por el que sentimos predisposición a alegrarnos si la justicia según nosotros se hace realidad. El autor saca a relucir una plétora de ejemplos tanto verídicos, de personas que han sufrido mal para regocijo de sus contrincantes (Tiger Woods), como ficticios, de personas que ven sufrir a otros y que se alegran (merecidamente?) por ello (Salieri en la película Amadeus). Estos ejemplos nos ponen en contexto los motivos tienen los que sienten Schadenfreude para sentirse como se sienten y qué les lleva a actuar de una determinada manera, el contexto y la realidad del caso.
Uno de los capítulos mejor traidos es el que analiza las actuaciones de los nazis contra los judios. Creo que el ejemplo y el análisis llevado en este caso particular son brillantes.
Ha sido una lectura enriquecedora. Para afrontar y analizar un sentimiento tan complejo, el autor hace uso de muy buenos escenarios y situaciones, utiliza una prosa nada enrevesada y fácil de entender para un profano como yo. Cada capítulo se disfruta de principio a fin. Ojalá todos los libros de psicología estuvieran escritos con una prosa tan transparente y sencilla, sin que el lector tenga que poner mucho esfuerzo por su parte para sacarle jugo al contenido, como en este caso.
January 13, 2022
Richard Smith's Joy of Pain is a sprawling and accessible introduction to schadenfreude as a psychological state, a cultural construct, and a guilty pleasure.
Although Smith approaches the topic primarily through the perspective of social psychology, his book is a cross-disciplinary survey. He touches on a number of research conceptualizations from evolutionary psychology, neurocognitive science, philosophy of mind, media studies, and beyond. There is something for everyone in this book.
However, Joy of Pain is a general entry-level analysis of the topic, and therefore it has the tendency to lack depth and focus. At times, Smith clumsily jumps from one topic to another, starkly transitioning from pop-culture references one second, to discussing the Holocaust and the Wannsee Conference in the next. Depending on how you look at it, this may come across as superficial and nebulous, or it could support the extent to which schadenfreude actually permeates our collective psyche. Smith can also be quite repetitive - again, this may lend to the introductory service of the book, depending on what you need from it.
I thoroughly enjoyed the sections of the book where Smith discusses schadenfreude in relation to the "just world" bias. I think this bias has challenging implications for formulations of (re-)distribute justice, and I'm reminded particularly of John Rawls and A Theory of Justice on this matter. Smith's Joy of Pain functions best in this sense - by painting broad strokes, it stimulates specific questions.
Although Smith approaches the topic primarily through the perspective of social psychology, his book is a cross-disciplinary survey. He touches on a number of research conceptualizations from evolutionary psychology, neurocognitive science, philosophy of mind, media studies, and beyond. There is something for everyone in this book.
However, Joy of Pain is a general entry-level analysis of the topic, and therefore it has the tendency to lack depth and focus. At times, Smith clumsily jumps from one topic to another, starkly transitioning from pop-culture references one second, to discussing the Holocaust and the Wannsee Conference in the next. Depending on how you look at it, this may come across as superficial and nebulous, or it could support the extent to which schadenfreude actually permeates our collective psyche. Smith can also be quite repetitive - again, this may lend to the introductory service of the book, depending on what you need from it.
I thoroughly enjoyed the sections of the book where Smith discusses schadenfreude in relation to the "just world" bias. I think this bias has challenging implications for formulations of (re-)distribute justice, and I'm reminded particularly of John Rawls and A Theory of Justice on this matter. Smith's Joy of Pain functions best in this sense - by painting broad strokes, it stimulates specific questions.
September 11, 2017
Editado en castellano por Alianza, este libro es una grata sorpresa.
Hay poco ensayos que aporten tal variedad de datos sobre experimentos psicológicos para arrojar luz precisamente donde más se necesita: en los rincones oscuros de nuestra naturaleza, que es donde más solos nos sentimos.
Alejado de juicios baratos y opiniones sin fundamentar, Smith va confirmando una a una sus teorías acerca de la Schadenfreude con la reiterada exposición de datos, que nos muestran los verdaderos motivos que se esconden detrás de la alegría que sentimos ante el mal ajeno. Estos datos son un espejo que nos devuelve un reflejo a veces desagradable sobre nosotros mismos. Sobre nuestra forma de ser y de actuar.
Los matices de la schadenfreude son importantes, y ahí es donde reside el interés que tienen las investigaciones que contiene este libro. Aunque en ocasiones sea demasiado reiterativo, creo que es importante insistir sobre determinados conceptos.
En mi caso, me quedo con esta reflexión a modo de corolario: todos nos creemos mejor de lo que somos. Sin excepciones. Y este libro da buena prueba de ello.
Hay poco ensayos que aporten tal variedad de datos sobre experimentos psicológicos para arrojar luz precisamente donde más se necesita: en los rincones oscuros de nuestra naturaleza, que es donde más solos nos sentimos.
Alejado de juicios baratos y opiniones sin fundamentar, Smith va confirmando una a una sus teorías acerca de la Schadenfreude con la reiterada exposición de datos, que nos muestran los verdaderos motivos que se esconden detrás de la alegría que sentimos ante el mal ajeno. Estos datos son un espejo que nos devuelve un reflejo a veces desagradable sobre nosotros mismos. Sobre nuestra forma de ser y de actuar.
Los matices de la schadenfreude son importantes, y ahí es donde reside el interés que tienen las investigaciones que contiene este libro. Aunque en ocasiones sea demasiado reiterativo, creo que es importante insistir sobre determinados conceptos.
En mi caso, me quedo con esta reflexión a modo de corolario: todos nos creemos mejor de lo que somos. Sin excepciones. Y este libro da buena prueba de ello.
July 14, 2018
Schadenfreude arises from envy, which in turn arises from social comparison, which in turn arises from the survival instinct within a perceived zero-sum context. It is perpetuated by the unrealistic expectation of a "just" world and the fundamental attribution error. Low self-esteem and a lack of self-affirmation exacerbate it. Its transmutation leads to victimisation. Left unchecked and coupled with group identification its toxicity can snowball to greater evils: witness the sad history of genocides. The last chapter on its antidotes, namely empathy and compassion, is deeply moving. The author illustrates his points effectively through numerous studies, vignettes, and anecdotes. Four stars.
June 2, 2017
Schadenfreude is a concept I encountered in my first year literature course at university and I more or less forgot about it until my third year when I came across it again in my Children's Dystopias class. It's an interesting idea; the pleasure we derive from other people's misfortunes. So, I saw this book one day and thought why not? It's a blend of science and lots of examples and explanations, which worked out well. Not too heavy on the science, thankfully. But I enjoyed all the little stories and references to literature, tv, etc.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
November 25, 2022
It took me a long time to finish this book, it got boring and repetitive at times.
The book offers a wide range of examples for when humans feel “ Schadenfruede”, starting with the “ mostly benign” interest in tabloid gossip to actually acting with hostility and envy. But it does just that, and a lot of the chapters discuss common knowledge and offer nothing new.
And although I enjoyed reading about the situations and the instqnce the author discussed to explain, I don’t feel the book offered me any deeper understanding.
The book offers a wide range of examples for when humans feel “ Schadenfruede”, starting with the “ mostly benign” interest in tabloid gossip to actually acting with hostility and envy. But it does just that, and a lot of the chapters discuss common knowledge and offer nothing new.
And although I enjoyed reading about the situations and the instqnce the author discussed to explain, I don’t feel the book offered me any deeper understanding.
October 12, 2025
I've had this book on my shelf for a while and finally read it, and while I didn't hate it, I also wondered what the point was. Schandenfreude bad? Sure. Envy bad? yep. But I also kept wondering what sort of analysis Smith was going to offer, and at the end of it, I feel an overwhelming sense of meh. I agree that Schradenfuede feels less bad when the people experiencing misfortune actually deserve it, and that we tend to justify ourselves in comparison to others. But I don't know that 190 pages of this were worth my time. It may have been an interesting article.
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