Relating self-esteem with schadenfreude using the implicit association test

Abstract

In recent literature, it may seem that research on implicit aspects of self-esteem is increasing. Many have reported the high score of implicit self-esteem is associated with positive traits and behaviors. However, a number of studies on implicit self-esteem report different results. To add additional support to the discussion, this study examines the effects of explicit and implicit self-esteem on the concept of Schadenfreude, the pleasure caused by the misfortunes of others. Two studies were conducted on this topic. In study 1, 282 participants were given modified version of scenarios from Sawada (2008) and asked to evaluate the target person with a questionnaire, deciding if the participants were of high or low social status. In Study 2, effects of explicit and implicit self-esteem were examined using the scenario created in Study 1 among 92 participants. The analysis of variance revealed that a main effect of implicit self-esteem on schadenfreude towards a target person. The higher scores of implicit self-esteem would have a higher scores of schadenfreude. Furthermore, an interaction was found between social standing and implicit self-esteem, in that the high implicit self-esteem group showed high scores of schadenfreude towards an advantaged target person.