Plot, pain and pleasure? : Schadenfreude, deservingness and social norms in media enjoyment

Döveling, Katrin; Suter, Lilian

Publication type:	Conference other
Type of review:	Peer review (abstract)
Title:	Plot, pain and pleasure? : Schadenfreude, deservingness and social norms in media enjoyment
Authors:	Döveling, Katrin Suter, Lilian
et. al:	No
Conference details:	Emotions2023, Tilburg, The Netherlands, 4 - 6 October 2023
Issue Date:	6-Oct-2023
Language:	English
Subjects:	Schadenfreude; Entertainment; Deservingness; Social norm; Fail-Videoclip
Subject (DDC):	150: Psychology 302.23: Media
Abstract:	Around the globe, people enjoy watching the misfortunes of others on diverse media channels. But: Why do we laugh when seeing others suffer? Schadenfreude, the pleasure at the misfortunes of others (van Dijk & Ouwerkerk, 2014), is a complex emotion worth studying. First, based on a thorough literature review, a model of schadenfreude in media psychology is presented that combines individual and social appraisal processes. We then provide evidence for the model in three studies using observational and survey methods (N1 = 424, N2 = 33, N3 = 276) and reveal associated intrapersonal and social components that foster the display of schadenfreude in media reception. Snippets of casting show failures and fail clips were used as stimulus material. Study 1 studied the individual appraisals of responsibility, moral deservingness and perceived harm alongside the personality trait of belief in a just world. Study 2 and 3 investigated the role of interpersonal communication and social appraisals during the reception situation. Study 3 additionally varied whether the situation involved known peers or strangers. The results support key factors in the model and the vital role of deservingness (individual appraisal) and social norms (social appraisals) for the display and enjoyment of schadenfreude in media reception. We conclude with implications for further investigation of schadenfreude in media and non-media settings, discussing emotion regulation, enjoyment and norms of shared emotions.
URI:	https://digitalcollection.zhaw.ch/handle/11475/28914
Fulltext version:	Published version
License (according to publishing contract):	Not specified
Departement:	Applied Psychology
Organisational Unit:	Psychological Institute (PI)
Appears in collections:	Publikationen Angewandte Psychologie

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Döveling, K., & Suter, L. (2023, October 6). Plot, pain and pleasure? : Schadenfreude, deservingness and social norms in media enjoyment. Emotions2023, Tilburg, the Netherlands, 4 - 6 October 2023.

Döveling, K. and Suter, L. (2023) ‘Plot, pain and pleasure? : Schadenfreude, deservingness and social norms in media enjoyment’, in Emotions2023, Tilburg, The Netherlands, 4 - 6 October 2023.

K. Döveling and L. Suter, “Plot, pain and pleasure? : Schadenfreude, deservingness and social norms in media enjoyment,” in Emotions2023, Tilburg, The Netherlands, 4 - 6 October 2023, Oct. 2023.

DÖVELING, Katrin und Lilian SUTER, 2023. Plot, pain and pleasure? : Schadenfreude, deservingness and social norms in media enjoyment. In: Emotions2023, Tilburg, The Netherlands, 4 - 6 October 2023. Conference presentation. 6 Oktober 2023

Döveling, Katrin, and Lilian Suter. 2023. “Plot, Pain and Pleasure? : Schadenfreude, Deservingness and Social Norms in Media Enjoyment.” Conference presentation. In Emotions2023, Tilburg, the Netherlands, 4 - 6 October 2023.

Döveling, Katrin, and Lilian Suter. “Plot, Pain and Pleasure? : Schadenfreude, Deservingness and Social Norms in Media Enjoyment.” Emotions2023, Tilburg, the Netherlands, 4 - 6 October 2023, 2023.