Deutsch: Neid / Español: Envidia / Português: Inveja / Français: Envie / Italiano: Invidia
Envy in psychology is an emotional response that arises when a person lacks something that another person possesses, leading to feelings of inferiority, resentment, or a desire to obtain or undermine the desired attribute or possession. Envy often involves a comparison with others and is associated with self-evaluation and social dynamics.
Description
Envy is considered a complex social emotion that can manifest in various contexts, ranging from personal relationships to professional settings. Psychologically, envy typically involves three components: comparison with others, recognition of lack in oneself, and feelings of longing or resentment. Envy can be either benign, where it motivates self-improvement, or malicious, where it prompts destructive thoughts or actions toward the envied person. Benign envy may inspire people to work harder, setting positive goals to attain what they admire in others. Malicious envy, on the other hand, can lead to negative emotions such as hostility, and even efforts to sabotage or harm the envied person.
Psychologists study envy as both an individual and social phenomenon, exploring how it affects self-esteem, social interactions, and overall mental health. In social comparison theory, envy is seen as a byproduct of people evaluating themselves against others, particularly when they feel they are at a disadvantage. Neuroscience research has shown that envy activates brain regions linked to physical pain, which may explain why it is such a powerful and uncomfortable feeling.
Envy often emerges in competitive or high-stakes environments, where success, wealth, or status is highly valued. For example, studies have shown that envy is more prevalent in workplaces with a strong emphasis on performance metrics and achievement. In social media contexts, envy has been linked to increased anxiety and reduced self-esteem, as individuals frequently compare their lives with curated and idealised portrayals of others online.
Historically, envy has been considered a "forbidden" or "shameful" emotion across cultures, often discouraged due to its association with negative actions and thoughts. Many religions and philosophies view envy as morally undesirable, promoting values such as gratitude, empathy, and self-reflection to counteract envious feelings.
Application Areas
Envy is relevant in multiple areas within psychology, including:
- Social Psychology: Studies envy as a social emotion influenced by societal norms and interpersonal relationships.
- Developmental Psychology: Explores how envy emerges in childhood and evolves with age, often influenced by family dynamics and socialisation.
- Organisational Psychology: Looks at workplace envy, examining how it impacts job satisfaction, team dynamics, and performance.
- Clinical Psychology: Investigates the role of envy in mental health conditions, such as anxiety or depression, especially when persistent envy affects self-esteem.
- Consumer Psychology: Studies how envy can drive consumption behaviour, with individuals buying products to "keep up" or surpass others.
- Cyberpsychology: Examines the effects of social media envy, where users may feel envious of others' curated online personas.
Well-Known Examples
- Social Media Envy: A well-documented phenomenon where people experience envy after viewing idealised photos and posts, often leading to feelings of inadequacy and reduced self-esteem.
- Sibling Rivalry: Common in family dynamics, where siblings may experience envy over parental attention, academic success, or other achievements.
- Workplace Competition: In competitive industries, employees often experience envy towards colleagues with promotions, recognition, or better opportunities.
- Materialistic Envy: This occurs when individuals feel envy due to another person’s possessions, such as luxury items, status symbols, or wealth.
- Romantic Envy: Envy can arise in romantic relationships, where one partner may feel inferior or threatened by perceived rivals or by their partner’s attention to others.
Risks and Challenges
While envy can sometimes motivate positive self-improvement, it presents challenges and risks to psychological well-being and social relationships. Persistent envy can lead to low self-esteem, stress, and even mental health disorders like depression. Individuals who frequently experience envy may struggle with self-worth and suffer from a negative self-concept. In relationships, envy can lead to conflicts, resentment, and reduced trust, ultimately damaging interpersonal bonds.
In professional or social settings, envy may contribute to toxic dynamics, such as gossip, passive-aggressive behaviour, or undermining colleagues, which can erode team cohesion and trust. Additionally, when envy is left unchecked, it can become chronic, leading to rumination and negative thought patterns that impact daily functioning. Managing envy effectively requires self-reflection, coping strategies, and sometimes professional support to address underlying issues of self-esteem and social comparison.
Similar Terms
- Jealousy: Often confused with envy, jealousy involves a perceived threat to a valued relationship, whereas envy relates to a lack or desire for what others have.
- Social Comparison: The act of evaluating oneself against others, which is a core element of envy.
- Inferiority Complex: A sense of inadequacy that can arise from social comparisons and lead to feelings of envy.
- Covetousness: The strong desire to possess what someone else has, closely related to envious feelings.
- Resentment: A feeling of bitterness that can accompany envy, particularly when one feels treated unfairly.
Summary
In psychology, envy is an emotion rooted in social comparison, often accompanied by feelings of inferiority, longing, or resentment. While envy can sometimes drive self-improvement, it also presents challenges, as unchecked envy can harm self-esteem, relationships, and overall mental health. Managing envy through self-reflection and empathy can help mitigate its negative effects and foster healthier interpersonal dynamics.
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