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Abstract Header

Schadenfreude as a Mate-Value-Tracking Mechanism within Same-Sex Friendships

Colyn, Leisha A.
http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=bgsu1187618489

Abstract Details

2007, Master of Arts (MA), Bowling Green State University, Psychology.
Friends provide many benefits. However, same-sex friends may also compete with us for mates. Schadenfreude is the feeling of pleasure that occurs when another person experiences a misfortune. I view schadenfreude as a psychological mechanism designed to help us deal with the problems associated with intrasexual competition. In this research, I focus on competition between same-sex friends. Participants described a time when they experienced schadenfreude toward a same-sex or opposite-sex friend and completed a survey regarding schadenfreude in friendships. The primary hypothesis was that schadenfreude would be elicited within same-sex friendships by events that lowered one's friends' mate value. Results showed that schadenfreude is ubiquitous within college students’ friendships. The most common themes present in participants’ narrative accounts were competition within work, sports, and academic contexts, justice restoration, and misfortunes that occurred after a friend had rejected or betrayed the participant. Schadenfreude does appear to track physical attractiveness among women. However, schadenfreude does not appear to track status for men. The Discussion focuses on the ubiquitous nature of schadenfreude within friendships, highlighting a potential dark side of friendship.
Anne Gordon (Advisor)
87 p.
Psychology, Social
schadenfreude; friendship; intrasexual competition; evolutionary psychology; mate value

Recommended Citations

Citations

  • Colyn, L. A. (2007). Schadenfreude as a Mate-Value-Tracking Mechanism within Same-Sex Friendships [Master's thesis, Bowling Green State University]. OhioLINK Electronic Theses and Dissertations Center. http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=bgsu1187618489

    APA Style (7th edition)

  • Colyn, Leisha. Schadenfreude as a Mate-Value-Tracking Mechanism within Same-Sex Friendships. 2007. Bowling Green State University, Master's thesis. OhioLINK Electronic Theses and Dissertations Center, http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=bgsu1187618489.

    MLA Style (8th edition)

  • Colyn, Leisha. "Schadenfreude as a Mate-Value-Tracking Mechanism within Same-Sex Friendships." Master's thesis, Bowling Green State University, 2007. http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=bgsu1187618489

    Chicago Manual of Style (17th edition)

bgsu1187618489
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This open access ETD is published by Bowling Green State University and OhioLINK.