Accessibility Statement Skip Navigation
  • Why PRWeb
  • How It Works
  • Who Uses It
  • Pricing
  • Login
  • GDPR
  • Create a Free Account
Return to PRWeb homepage
  • News
  • Resources
  • Contact
When typing in this field, a list of search results will appear and be automatically updated as you type.

Searching for your content...

No results found. Please change your search terms and try again.
  • News in Focus
      • Browse News Releases

      • All News Releases
      • Multimedia Gallery

      • All Multimedia
      • All Photos
      • All Videos
  • Business & Money
      • Auto & Transportation

      • Aerospace, Defense
      • Air Freight
      • Airlines & Aviation
      • Automotive
      • Maritime & Shipbuilding
      • Railroads and Intermodal Transportation
      • Supply Chain/Logistics
      • Transportation, Trucking & Railroad
      • Travel
      • Trucking and Road Transportation
      • View All Auto & Transportation

      • Business Technology

      • Blockchain
      • Broadcast Tech
      • Computer & Electronics
      • Computer Hardware
      • Computer Software
      • Data Analytics
      • Electronic Commerce
      • Electronic Components
      • Electronic Design Automation
      • Financial Technology
      • High Tech Security
      • Internet Technology
      • Nanotechnology
      • Networks
      • Peripherals
      • Semiconductors
      • View All Business Technology

      • Entertain­ment & Media

      • Advertising
      • Art
      • Books
      • Entertainment
      • Film and Motion Picture
      • Magazines
      • Music
      • Publishing & Information Services
      • Radio & Podcast
      • Television
      • View All Entertain­ment & Media

      • Financial Services & Investing

      • Accounting News & Issues
      • Acquisitions, Mergers and Takeovers
      • Banking & Financial Services
      • Bankruptcy
      • Bond & Stock Ratings
      • Conference Call Announcements
      • Contracts
      • Cryptocurrency
      • Dividends
      • Earnings
      • Earnings Forecasts & Projections
      • Financing Agreements
      • Insurance
      • Investments Opinions
      • Joint Ventures
      • Mutual Funds
      • Private Placement
      • Real Estate
      • Restructuring & Recapitalization
      • Sales Reports
      • Shareholder Activism
      • Shareholder Meetings
      • Stock Offering
      • Stock Split
      • Venture Capital
      • View All Financial Services & Investing

      • General Business

      • Awards
      • Commercial Real Estate
      • Corporate Expansion
      • Earnings
      • Environmental, Social and Governance (ESG)
      • Human Resource & Workforce Management
      • Licensing
      • New Products & Services
      • Obituaries
      • Outsourcing Businesses
      • Overseas Real Estate (non-US)
      • Personnel Announcements
      • Real Estate Transactions
      • Residential Real Estate
      • Small Business Services
      • Socially Responsible Investing
      • Surveys, Polls and Research
      • Trade Show News
      • View All General Business

  • Science & Tech
      • Consumer Technology

      • Artificial Intelligence
      • Blockchain
      • Cloud Computing/Internet of Things
      • Computer Electronics
      • Computer Hardware
      • Computer Software
      • Consumer Electronics
      • Cryptocurrency
      • Data Analytics
      • Electronic Commerce
      • Electronic Gaming
      • Financial Technology
      • Mobile Entertainment
      • Multimedia & Internet
      • Peripherals
      • Social Media
      • STEM (Science, Tech, Engineering, Math)
      • Supply Chain/Logistics
      • Wireless Communications
      • View All Consumer Technology

      • Energy & Natural Resources

      • Alternative Energies
      • Chemical
      • Electrical Utilities
      • Gas
      • General Manufacturing
      • Mining
      • Mining & Metals
      • Oil & Energy
      • Oil and Gas Discoveries
      • Utilities
      • Water Utilities
      • View All Energy & Natural Resources

      • Environ­ment

      • Conservation & Recycling
      • Environmental Issues
      • Environmental Policy
      • Environmental Products & Services
      • Green Technology
      • Natural Disasters
      • View All Environ­ment

      • Heavy Industry & Manufacturing

      • Aerospace & Defense
      • Agriculture
      • Chemical
      • Construction & Building
      • General Manufacturing
      • HVAC (Heating, Ventilation and Air-Conditioning)
      • Machinery
      • Machine Tools, Metalworking and Metallurgy
      • Mining
      • Mining & Metals
      • Paper, Forest Products & Containers
      • Precious Metals
      • Textiles
      • Tobacco
      • View All Heavy Industry & Manufacturing

      • Telecomm­unications

      • Carriers and Services
      • Mobile Entertainment
      • Networks
      • Peripherals
      • Telecommunications Equipment
      • Telecommunications Industry
      • VoIP (Voice over Internet Protocol)
      • Wireless Communications
      • View All Telecomm­unications

  • Lifestyle & Health
      • Consumer Products & Retail

      • Animals & Pets
      • Beers, Wines and Spirits
      • Beverages
      • Bridal Services
      • Cannabis
      • Cosmetics and Personal Care
      • Fashion
      • Food & Beverages
      • Furniture and Furnishings
      • Home Improvement
      • Household, Consumer & Cosmetics
      • Household Products
      • Jewelry
      • Non-Alcoholic Beverages
      • Office Products
      • Organic Food
      • Product Recalls
      • Restaurants
      • Retail
      • Supermarkets
      • Toys
      • View All Consumer Products & Retail

      • Entertain­ment & Media

      • Advertising
      • Art
      • Books
      • Entertainment
      • Film and Motion Picture
      • Magazines
      • Music
      • Publishing & Information Services
      • Radio & Podcast
      • Television
      • View All Entertain­ment & Media

      • Health

      • Biometrics
      • Biotechnology
      • Clinical Trials & Medical Discoveries
      • Dentistry
      • FDA Approval
      • Fitness/Wellness
      • Health Care & Hospitals
      • Health Insurance
      • Infection Control
      • International Medical Approval
      • Medical Equipment
      • Medical Pharmaceuticals
      • Mental Health
      • Pharmaceuticals
      • Supplementary Medicine
      • View All Health

      • Sports

      • General Sports
      • Outdoors, Camping & Hiking
      • Sporting Events
      • Sports Equipment & Accessories
      • View All Sports

      • Travel

      • Amusement Parks and Tourist Attractions
      • Gambling & Casinos
      • Hotels and Resorts
      • Leisure & Tourism
      • Outdoors, Camping & Hiking
      • Passenger Aviation
      • Travel Industry
      • View All Travel

  • Policy & Public Interest
      • Policy & Public Interest

      • Advocacy Group Opinion
      • Animal Welfare
      • Congressional & Presidential Campaigns
      • Corporate Social Responsibility
      • Domestic Policy
      • Economic News, Trends, Analysis
      • Education
      • Environmental
      • European Government
      • FDA Approval
      • Federal and State Legislation
      • Federal Executive Branch & Agency
      • Foreign Policy & International Affairs
      • Homeland Security
      • Labor & Union
      • Legal Issues
      • Natural Disasters
      • Not For Profit
      • Patent Law
      • Public Safety
      • Trade Policy
      • U.S. State Policy
      • View All Policy & Public Interest

  • People & Culture
      • People & Culture

      • Aboriginal, First Nations & Native American
      • African American
      • Asian American
      • Children
      • Diversity, Equity & Inclusion
      • Hispanic
      • Lesbian, Gay & Bisexual
      • Men's Interest
      • People with Disabilities
      • Religion
      • Senior Citizens
      • Veterans
      • Women
      • View All People & Culture

  • Hamburger menu
  • Cision PRWeb provides efficient communication tools to continuously engage with target audiences across multiple online channels
  • Create a Free Account
    • ALL CONTACT INFO
    • Contact Us


      11AM ET Sunday – 8PM ET Friday

  • Send a Release
  • Sign up
  • Log in
  • Resources
  • RSS
  • GDPR
  • News in Focus
    • Browse All News
    • Multimedia Gallery
  • Business & Money
    • Auto & Transportation
    • Business Technology
    • Entertain­ment & Media
    • Financial Services & Investing
    • General Business
  • Science & Tech
    • Consumer Technology
    • Energy & Natural Resources
    • Environ­ment
    • Heavy Industry & Manufacturing
    • Telecomm­unications
  • Lifestyle & Health
    • Consumer Products & Retail
    • Entertain­ment & Media
    • Health
    • Sports
    • Travel
  • Policy & Public Interest
  • People & Culture
    • People & Culture
  • Send a Release
  • Sign up
  • Log in
  • Resources
  • RSS
  • GDPR
  • Send a Release
  • Sign up
  • Log in
  • Resources
  • RSS
  • GDPR
  • Send a Release
  • Sign up
  • Log in
  • Resources
  • RSS
  • GDPR

Bitterness and Bliss: A Study by PsychTests on Why We Hate Happy People


News provided by

PsychTests AIM Inc

Jan 24, 2024, 03:00 ET

Share this article

Share toX

Share this article

Share toX

Deep down, we don’t actually hate happy people; we’re just sick of dealing with our own unhappiness.
Deep down, we don’t actually hate happy people; we’re just sick of dealing with our own unhappiness.

Being a little envious of someone who has a great life is understandable, but what can be said of people who hate the sight of unbridled joy? Are they just bitter? Researchers at PsychTests provide the answers.

MONTREAL, Jan. 24, 2024 /PRNewswire-PRWeb/ -- How do you feel when you see a couple holding hands and gazing lovingly into each other's eyes, someone laughing and having fun, or a person jumping for joy after achieving something amazing? Do you experience vicarious happiness, or do you wish for them to be struck by lightning? It turns out that hating happy people may be a reflection of cynicism and even dishonesty.

Analyzing data collected from 5,597 people who took the Integrity and Work Ethics Test, PsychTests' researchers compared three distinct groups on a variety of attitudes:

You need to make changes on the inside in order to see changes on the outside. Happiness always starts from within.

Post this

GROUP 1: THOSE WHO DON'T MIND HAPPY PEOPLE (JOY SHARERS)
GROUP 2: THOSE WHO HATE HAPPY PEOPLE BECAUSE THEY ENVY THEM (BEGRUDGERS)
GROUP 3: THOSE WHO DESPISE HAPPY PEOPLE SO MUCH THAT THEY WANT TO RUIN THEIR JOY (RETALIATORS)

Results of the study:

WHEN EACH GROUP WAS ASKED THE CIRCUMSTANCES IN WHICH THEY WOULD FORGIVE AN EMPLOYEE FOR THEFT, HERE IS HOW THEY RESPONDED:

Employee theft (e.g., office supplies, food) should be forgiven if the person…

  • Does not have a good salary (51% of Retaliators, 46% of Begrudgers, and 25% of Joy Sharers agreed with this statement).
  • Has not had a raise in over five years (36% of Retaliators, 41% of Begrudgers, and 17% of Joy Sharers agreed with this statement).
  • Puts in a lot of overtime hours (50% of Retaliators, 56% of Begrudgers, and 37% of Joy Sharers agreed with this statement).
  • Has been with the company for over 10 years (50% of Retaliators, 44% of Begrudgers, and 27% of Joy Sharers agreed with this statement).
  • Is having financial problems (53% of Retaliators, 50% of Begrudgers, and 40% of Joy Sharers agreed with this statement).
  • Is having personal or family problems (48% of Retaliators, 40% of Begrudgers, and 24% of Joy Sharers agreed with this statement).
  • Is under stress (46% of Retaliators, 34% of Begrudgers, and 21% of Joy Sharers agreed with this statement).

PSYCHTESTS' STUDY ALSO INDICATED THAT THE RETALIATORS WERE NOT ONLY MORE CYNICAL THAN THE BEGRUDGERS AND JOY SHARERS; THEY WERE ALSO LESS HONEST AND ALTRUISTIC.

  • 37% of Retaliators believe that lying is necessary in personal and professional relationships, compared to 32% of Begrudgers and 23% of Joy Sharers.
  • 44% said that they have no problem stepping on other people's toes in order to achieve what they want, compared to 29% of Begrudgers and 13% of Joy Sharers.
  • 34% said that they have no problem spreading gossip about other people, compared to 23% of Begrudgers and 10% of Joy Sharers.
  • 33% enjoy hearing about other people's misfortunes, compared to 19% of Begrudgers and 5% of Joy Sharers.
  • 35% enjoy it when bad things happen to the people they hate, compared to 33% of Begrudgers and 13% of Joy Sharers.
  • 34% said that they would prefer not to waste time creating a relationship with someone who is not well-connected, compared to 20% of Begrudgers and 6% of Joy Sharers.
  • 40% are more likely to help someone if they stand to gain from it, compared to > 35% of Begrudgers and 20% of Joy Sharers.
  • 45% of Retaliators and 49% of Begrudgers have helped someone in order to get on their good side, compared to 29% of Joy Sharers.
  • 30% of Retaliators exaggerate their skills or accomplishments in order to impress others, compared to 23% of Begrudgers and 6% of Joy Sharers.
  • 37% believe it's better to get revenge than to get mad, compared to 28% of Begrudgers and 21% of Joy Sharers.
  • 31% make mental notes of people's weaknesses for future use, compared to 27% of Begrudgers and 8% of Joy Sharers.
  • 39% hold grudges, compared to 37% of Begrudgers and 13% of Joy Sharers.

"Being a little jealous of someone's happiness is understandable, especially if you're not content with your own circumstances. However, if you hate a happy person to the point where you want to do everything in your power to wipe the smile off their face, then it's time to do some serious introspection," explains Dr. Ilona Jerabek, president of PsychTests. "The reality is that it's not their happiness you hate; it's the dissonance between your current emotional state and where you wish you were. If you're miserable, struggling with major problems, or have mental health issues, seeing someone living a happy, seemingly easy life can be soul-crushing. The gap between what you're feeling and what you want to be feeling seems insurmountable. So, some people turn that pain inward and become depressed, while others turn it outward in the form of anger, jealousy, envy, cynicism, and hatred, but it's still sadness at the core of it."

"If you hate the fact that other people are happy and you're not, stop looking at what's going on outside of you and, most importantly, stop comparing yourself. Turn your perception inward. What do you need to work on in yourself in order to expand your well-being? It might be a matter of improving your self-esteem, your ability to handle conflict, your relationship skills, your fear of intimacy, or your attachment issues. It might require working on your job skills so that you can find better employment and increase your earning potential. It might also be time to work on your mental health and even cut people out of your life who are dragging you down. Perhaps some volunteering could help you get out of your funk and generate some happy hormones. Whatever the case, you need to make changes on the inside in order to see changes on the outside. Happiness always starts from within," concludes Dr. Jerabek.

Are you a person of integrity? Check out the Integrity and Work Ethics Test,at https://testyourself.psychtests.com/testid/3977

Professional users, such as HR managers, coaches, and therapists, can request a free demo for this or other assessments from ARCH Profile's extensive battery: http://hrtests.archprofile.com/testdrive_gen_1

To learn more about psychological testing, download this free eBook: http://hrtests.archprofile.com/personality-tests-in-hr

About PsychTests AIM Inc.
PsychTests AIM Inc. originally appeared on the internet scene in 1996. Since its inception, it has become a pre-eminent provider of psychological assessment products and services to human resource personnel, therapists and coaches, academics, researchers and a host of other professionals around the world. PsychTests AIM Inc. staff is comprised of a dedicated team of psychologists, test developers, researchers, statisticians, writers, and artificial intelligence experts. (see ARCHProfile.com).

Media Contact

Ilona Jerabek, Ph.D., PsychTests AIM Inc, 5147453189, [email protected], https://testyourself.psychtests.com/

SOURCE PsychTests AIM Inc

Modal title

Why do we hate happy people?
Why do we hate happy people?
Why do we hate happy people?

Contact PRWeb

  • 11AM ET Sunday – 8PM ET Friday
  • Contact Us

About PRWeb

  • About PRWeb
  • Partners
  • Partnership Programs
  • Editorial Guidelines
  • Resources

Why PRWeb

  • Why PRWeb
  • How It Works
  • Who Uses It
  • Pricing

Accounts

  • Create a Free Account
  • Log in
  • Contact Us

Do not sell or share my personal information:

  • Submit via [email protected] 
  • Call Privacy toll-free: 877-297-8921

Contact Cision

Products

About

My Services
  • All News Releases
  • Online Member Center
  • ProfNet
Cision Distribution Helpline
888-776-0942
  • Legal
  • Site Map
  • RSS
  • Cookie Settings
Copyright © 2025 Cision US Inc.