In a 2013 study examining the role of deservingness and emotions in relation to schadenfreude, or enjoyment gained from watching others struggle, researchers used vignettes describing college students from the same or different colleges who either deserved or did not deserve their academic success and who were then rejected from an honors program. The results indicated:
A) participants indicated less pleasure at rejection when the student's success was undeserved and the student was from another institution.
B) participants indicated more pleasure at rejection when the student's success was undeserved and the student was from another institution.
C) participants indicated more pleasure at rejection when the student's success was deserved and the student was from another institution.
D) participants indicated more pleasure at rejection when the student's success was deserved and the student was from the same institution as themselves.

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

Participants felt more schadenfreude when the student's success was undeserved and the student was from another institution, as this aligns with the idea that people enjoy seeing those they perceive as unjustly successful face setbacks, especially when they are not part of their own group.

In a 2013 Study Examining the Role of Deservingness and Emotions