A social-cognitive model of trait and state envy

• Applicant: Professorin Dr. Katrin Rentzsch
• Subject Area: Personality Psychology, Clinical and Medical Psychology, Methodology
• Term: from 2014 to 2015
• Project identifier: Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft (DFG) - Project number 262241466

Previous research referred to envy as an emotional state (state envy) and as a trait, i.e., individual differences in tendencies to envy (trait envy). However, both concepts have never been systematically integrated before. Based on an interactionist approach on the interplay between person and situation and based on preliminary studies that I have conducted so far, I propose a model of trait envy contributing to the experience of state envy. In the current research project, I would like to test parts of the proposed model during a stay at Stanford Psychophysiology Laboratory (James Gross):1. As there is no adequate instrument for measuring trait envy, I have developed a short self-report instrument for measuring envy as a trait in German language, the so called Domain Specific Dispositional Envy Scale. At Stanford, I would like to translate the Domain Specific Dispositional Envy Scale into English and cross validate it with an US-American sample of university students. 2. Furthermore, I would like to test emotion regulation strategies that contribute to the experience of state envy. More specifically, I expect that cognitive reappraisal influences the experience of state envy. The influence by trait envy will be analyzed either. 3. I would like to analyze psychophysiological data that I have collected in preliminary studies on the experience of state envy. The Stanford Psychophysiology Lab is famous for its excellent expertise in psychophysiology.4. Furthermore, I would like to present and discuss the current research project with James Gross and his team in order to generate further studies for continuing the research project after the stay at Stanford.

• DFG Programme: Research Fellowships
• International Connection: USA
• Host: Professor James J. Gross, Ph.D.