Why do people rejoice at the failures of others?

The age of information technology and social media has brought many new opportunities for communication, but new psychological questions have also emerged. Why do we sometimes feel joy or relief from other people’s failures? This not so pleasant emotion is amenable to analysis, and its causes are deeper than we think at first glance.



Ecology of life: Psychology of Reaction to Others' Failures
The human psyche is very complex, and our reactions to life events are sometimes mysterious. Admitting that we rejoice in the failures of others may make us feel ashamed, but it’s not unusual. This phenomenon is called “refreshing negative emotions.” And there is nothing paradoxical about it, because such reactions are the result of ancient biological mechanisms inherent in our nature.

The fact is that a person tends to feel a sense of satisfaction when he sees that someone from his environment is not achieving what he himself cannot achieve. This process is amenable to psychoanalysis and is explained by several factors.

Factors that influence our joy at the failures of others

1. Envy and competition: Human beings are naturally competitive. When someone is above us, we may feel threatened by our own position. And when it fails, we are relieved - as if this threat has been removed.

2. Empathy and protection: In some cases, the joy of others’ failures is a defense mechanism. We project our fears and experiences onto others. For example, if someone fails to accomplish a task that we might also face, we begin to feel that they are “like us.” This allows us to reduce the pressure of our own failures.

3. A natural sense of justice: Sometimes we think that another person’s failure is a kind of “punishment” for their mistakes. In such a situation, the joy of others’ failures may be a subconscious reaction to one’s own sense of justice.

Psychology of Reaction to Others' Failures

Envy and joy from other people’s failures is not always a manifestation of exclusively negative feelings. In some cases, it can also be a consequence of the social dynamics and culture in which we grow up. In a society where success is the ultimate value and failure is considered shameful, we often fall into the trap of these stereotypes. Such attitudes can influence our perception of failure and our reactions to it.

It is important to understand that envy and joy at the failures of others do not define us as human beings. These are feelings that we can control. Understanding the causes of these emotions helps us move beyond these reactions and work to overcome them.



How to free yourself from negative emotions
If you find yourself rejoicing at the failures of others, do not rush to judge yourself. The main thing is to recognize this feeling and to try to change it. Here are some tips on how to deal with these emotions:

• Awareness: Recognize that the joy of others’ failures is a natural reaction, but it should not control your behavior.
• Compassion: Learn to empathize with others, even if they fail. Understanding that we are all going through difficulties helps to develop empathy.
• Focus on yourself: Instead of comparing yourself to others, focus on your own development and success.

Living in harmony: how to stop celebrating the failures of others?

When we become aware of our emotions and learn to manage them, we come to inner harmony. We need to learn to let go of comparisons with others and strive for our own progress. The joy of others’ failures is not the way to happiness. True joy comes when we are able to overcome our own shortcomings and let go of destructive emotions.

Conclusion

Joy at the failures of others is a natural but sometimes painful reaction of the human psyche. Understanding its mechanisms and finding ways to deal with these emotions will help us develop and live in harmony. The more we practice empathy, compassion, and focus on our own growth, the easier it is for us to deal with those feelings that drive us to negative emotions.