An Interpersonal Model of Envy. Examining Interpersonal Antecedents and Consequences of Envy in Social Interactions

• Applicant: Professorin Dr. Katrin Rentzsch
• Subject Area: Personality Psychology, Clinical and Medical Psychology, Methodology
• Term: from 2016 to 2021
• Project identifier: Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft (DFG) - Project number 322059135

Envy is a social emotion, as it arises from a negative upward comparison with another person. Previous research has focused on interpersonal responses of the person who experiences envy. Consequently, interpersonal perceptions or behaviors of both interaction partners are largely unknown. Furthermore, there is a dearth of research that has investigated the relation between personality traits of both interaction partners and the experience of envy. Extending previous research on envy, an Interpersonal Model of Envy is proposed. The Interpersonal Model of Envy stresses the dynamic interplay between personality traits, interpersonal behavior and perceptions of both interaction partners in envy. The model claims that experiences of envy and its social outcomes can never be fully understood without analyzing the perspectives of both individuals: the social emotion of envy is not just experienced by a person, but also directed at and received by the interaction partner. The model proposes that personality traits of both interaction partners specifically influence the experience of envy in specific situations - a fact that has been largely ignored in previous research. Considering the mechanisms underlying this link, the model suggests that personality has an effect on experience through the appraisal of the situation or through observable behaviors. With respect to the social consequences of envy, the model also focuses on interpersonal reactions of both interaction partners and explains them by the (observable) expression of the emotion. Additionally, the model emphasizes that the proposed effects do not apply to all people in the same way, but are moderated by individual differences in emotion regulation strategies and in tendencies to comply with social norms. The objective of the current project is to test the Interpersonal Model of Envy by investigating interpersonal antecedents and consequences of envy in social interactions, focusing on mediating factors and moderators that can help to advance understanding of the interpersonal phenomenon of envy. The current project proposal extends previous research as follows: It 1) uses a dyadic design in real social interactions, 2) investigates the dynamic interplay between personality traits, interpersonal behavior and interpersonal perceptions of both interaction partners in envy, 3) assesses interpersonal behavior and emotion expression by using video-based behavioral observation, 4) uses an appropriate strategy of data analysis (i.e., actor-partner-interdependence-model analyses), and 5) integrates findings in a process model.

• DFG Programme: Research Grants