History of Schadenfreude in Timeline

Schadenfreude, a term borrowed from German, describes the feeling of pleasure derived from witnessing another's misfortune. Its English equivalent, epicaricacy, emerged in the 18th century. Studies show that schadenfreude manifests in children as young as two years old, suggesting its role as a fundamental social emotion linked to the development of "inequity aversion."

1985: Coining of "Gluckschmerz"

In 1985, the term "Gluckschmerz," a humorous pseudo-German word for displeasure at another's good fortune, was created by Wanda Tinasky. Although grammatically incorrect, the term has been used in academic discussions.

1993: Early Blends of "Schadenfreude"

As early as 1993, the word "schadenfreude" was being combined with other words to create new expressions. One example is "Skaddenfreude," coined by Lincoln Caplan to describe the satisfaction felt by competitors of the law firm Skadden Arps during its struggles in the early 1990s.

2002: Scientific Studies on Schadenfreude

In 2002, The New York Times published an article highlighting various scientific studies on schadenfreude, defined as "delighting in others' misfortune." These studies often drew upon social comparison theory, which posits that witnessing misfortune in others can improve our own self-perception. Additionally, research indicated that individuals with low self-esteem are more prone to experiencing schadenfreude.

2003: Intergroup Schadenfreude in Sports

A 2003 study explored schadenfreude in the context of international football (soccer) rivalry, focusing on fans of German and Dutch teams. This research demonstrated that experiencing schadenfreude is strongly influenced by the perceived legitimacy of feeling such malicious pleasure towards a sports opponent.

2003: Susan Sontag's Exploration of Schadenfreude

Susan Sontag's 2003 book, "Regarding the Pain of Others," delves into how people are affected by the suffering of others. Sontag examines whether war photography and paintings can effectively oppose war or if they might instead evoke a sense of schadenfreude in some viewers.

2006: Gender Differences in Schadenfreude and Justice

A 2006 experiment explored the concept of "justice served" and found a gender difference in responses to perceived fairness. While both men and women showed increased brain activity in empathy centers when witnessing 'good' individuals experience pain, only men exhibited activity in pleasure centers when 'bad' individuals received seemingly deserved punishment.

2009: Schadenfreude in Politics

A 2009 study revealed that people are susceptible to experiencing schadenfreude in response to negative political events. The likelihood of feeling schadenfreude in such situations, according to the research, depends on whether the individual's own political party or the opposing party is facing adversity, suggesting that politics is fertile ground for such emotions.

2011: Neurological Study of Schadenfreude in Sports Fans

A 2011 fMRI study investigated schadenfreude among Boston Red Sox and New York Yankees fans. The results showed heightened activity in the ventral striatum (associated with pleasure) when fans observed their rival team experiencing setbacks like strikeouts. Conversely, witnessing their own team's negative outcomes led to increased activity in brain regions related to pain and empathy.

2014: Schadenfreude and the Dark Triad

In 2014, a study using online surveys investigated the link between schadenfreude and "Dark Triad" personality traits: narcissism, Machiavellianism, and psychopathy. Individuals displaying more prominent Dark Triad traits reported higher levels of schadenfreude, engagement in antisocial behaviors, and an inclination towards sensationalism.