Previous research has yielded inconsistent findings concerning the relationship between envy and schadenfreude. Three studies examined whether the distinction between benign and malicious envy can resolve this inconsistency. We found that malicious envy is related to schadenfreude, while benign envy is not. This result held both in the Netherlands where benign and malicious envy are indicated by separate words (Study 1: Sample A, N = 139; Sample B, N = 150), and in the USA where a single word is used to denote both types (Study 2, N = 180; Study 3, N = 349). Moreover, the effect of malicious envy on schadenfreude was independent of other antecedents of schadenfreude (such as feelings of inferiority, disliking the target person, anger, and perceived deservedness). These findings improve our understanding of the antecedents of schadenfreude and help reconcile seemingly contradictory findings on the relationship between envy and schadenfreude.

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In three experiments, we provide evidence that resource divisibility and expectations of sharing influence the degree to which envy arises in response to another's superior resources. We manipulated the resource divisibility (e.g., 2 coins worth approximately $5.50 each vs. a single note worth approximately $11) and expectations of sharing were measured (Experiments 1 and 2) and manipulated (Experiment 3). Findings in these three experiments supported our hypothesis that envy would be most strongly experienced in response to others who had highly divisible resources that participants did not believe would be shared. These findings offer novel insights into the adaptive function of envy, which may promote sharing of divisible resources.

Views of specific older adults may differ substantially from views of older adults in general, and such views may influence preconceived notions of aging that students bring into the classroom. Using an in-class activity, the authors tested the hypothesis that grandparents, about whom we know more individuated information, would be characterized by different, and more positive, descriptors than older adults. Following verbal prompts, undergraduates (N = 98) listed terms describing older adults and grandparents. Conventional and directed content analysis with a multistage coding scheme was employed. Results revealed that descriptors were primarily negative (e.g., sick) and emphasized physical characteristics (e.g., wrinkly) for older adults but were more positive (e.g., sweet) and highlighted personality characteristics (e.g., kind) for grandparents. Although mentioned less often for grandparents, health-related and physical characteristics were predominantly negative for both groups. This word-listing exercise highlighted heterogeneity in views of older adults and underscored the value of studying gerontology.