Elucidating the Dark Side of Envy: Distinctive Links of Benign and Malicious Envy With Dark Personalities

Abstract

Researchers have recently drawn a contrast between two forms of envy: benign and malicious envy. In three studies (total N = 3,123), we challenge the assumption that malicious envy is destructive, whereas benign envy is entirely constructive. Instead, both forms have links with the Dark Triad of personality. Benign envy is associated with Machiavellian behaviors, whereas malicious envy is associated with both Machiavellian and psychopathic behaviors. In Study 1, this pattern emerged from meta-analyzed trait correlations. In Study 2, a manipulation affecting the envy forms mediated an effect on antisocial behavioral intentions. Study 3 replicated these patterns by linking envy to specific antisocial behaviors and their impact on status in the workplace. Together, our correlational and experimental results suggest that the two forms of envy can both be malevolent. Instead of evaluating envy’s morality, we propose to focus on its functional value.

How mindfulness affects benign and malicious envy from the perspective of the mindfulness reperceiving model

“…Malicious envy is a type of typical negative emotion; thus, mindfulness can effectively inhibit it. Although benign envy has an upward positive motivation, its essence is still negative (Lange et al ., ); only the extent of the negativity is lower than that of malicious envy, so the negative direct effects of mindfulness on benign envy are not significant. In addition, people with high mindfulness experience cognitive flexibility and pay more attention to positive aspects (Moore, ; Moore & Malinowski, ).…”

“…According to the motivation function of envy, the experience of benign envy leads to positive motivation, the purpose of which is to improve one’s position and to narrow the gap with others (Van de Ven et al ., ; Van de Ven, Zeelenberg & Pieters, ). In contrast, the experience of malicious envy leads to a discouraging motivation, the purpose of which is to damage the position of superiors (Crusius & Lange, ; Lange, Paulhus & Crusius, ; Lange, Weidman & Crusius, ). In addition, there are differences between the two kinds of envy in the context of specific behavioral tendencies and emotions (Van de Ven et al ., ).…”

“…Although the motivation of benign envy to improve performance seems constructive (Van de Ven et al ., ), the means to pursue it may not necessarily be prosocial (Lange et al ., ), or may even be morally condemned (Protasi, ). Moreover, previous studies have shown that benign envy is associated with the Machiavellian behaviors (Lange et al ., ). Therefore, benign envy is a negative emotion with a positive effect of upward motivation; thus the degree of negativity of benign envy is lower than that of malicious envy.…”

Dispositional Greed Predicts Benign and Malicious Envy

“…Three weeks after T1, we invited participants again for the T2 survey. To measure state envy, we confronted participants with a scenario in which they learned of the superior outcome GREED AND ENVY 8 of another person (Lange & Crusius, 2015b;Lange, Paulhus, et al, 2018). As displays of pride in superior others fuel envy (Lange & Crusius, 2015b) the scenario featured a proud person.…”

“…Furthermore, even though the term benign envy might invite the interpretation that benign envy does not fuel antisocial intentions, such a view is contradicted GREED AND ENVY 5 by evidence. Indeed, benign envy has been shown to predict Machiavellian behavioral strategies (Lange, Paulhus, & Crusius, 2018). Thus, like greed, benign envy may sometimes motivate people to get ahead at the cost of others.…”