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The effect of schadenfreude on choice of conventional versus unconventional options

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  • Kramer, Thomas
  • Yucel-Aybat, Ozge
  • Lau-Gesk, Loraine

Abstract

Others' choices that turn out badly often elicit schadenfreude; that is, feelings of malicious joy about the misfortunes of others. We examine the impact of experiencing schadenfreude when choosing between conventional and unconventional options. Results show that individuals are relatively more likely to choose compromise options and safe options when experiencing schadenfreude, in comparison to happiness and to sadness. In support of an affect-as-information mechanism underlying this effect, the influence of schadenfreude on choice is limited to situations in which decision-makers are unaware of the source of their affect. Our last study demonstrates that individuals interpret schadenfreude as information regarding which option they should choose: its experience heightens anticipation of unfavorable outcomes of their own choices. We end with a discussion of the theoretical and organizational implications of our research.

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  • Kramer, Thomas & Yucel-Aybat, Ozge & Lau-Gesk, Loraine, 2011. "The effect of schadenfreude on choice of conventional versus unconventional options," Organizational Behavior and Human Decision Processes, Elsevier, vol. 116(1), pages 140-147, September.
    • Handle: RePEc:eee:jobhdp:v:116:y:2011:i:1:p:140-147
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    1. Ozge Yucel-Aybat & Thomas Kramer, 2017. "Comparative advertisements and schadenfreude: when and why others’ unfortunate choices make us happy," Marketing Letters, Springer, vol. 28(4), pages 579-589, December.
    2. Marticotte, François & Arcand, Manon, 2017. "Schadenfreude, attitude and the purchase intentions of a counterfeit luxury brand," Journal of Business Research, Elsevier, vol. 77(C), pages 175-183.
    3. George, Jennifer M. & Dane, Erik, 2016. "Affect, emotion, and decision making," Organizational Behavior and Human Decision Processes, Elsevier, vol. 136(C), pages 47-55.
    4. Marie Dasborough & Paul Harvey, 2017. "Schadenfreude: The (not so) Secret Joy of Another’s Misfortune," Journal of Business Ethics, Springer, vol. 141(4), pages 693-707, April.
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    6. Yueqiao Qiao & Zhe Zhang & Ming Jia, 2021. "Their Pain, Our Pleasure: How and When Peer Abusive Supervision Leads to Third Parties’ Schadenfreude and Work Engagement," Journal of Business Ethics, Springer, vol. 169(4), pages 695-711, April.

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