The Role of Closeness and Deservingness in Triggering Schadenfreude

Two studies reviewed schadenfreude, “pleasure-in-others’-misfortune”, in friendship and hostile relationship. Study 1 showed that conflict was necessary to evoke schadenfreude in friendship. Study 2 showed that schadenfreude was evoked when the misfortune was perceived deserved, and would be mediated by intimacy. Japanese culture-specific schadenfreude was also discussed about its differences.