Why Do People Take Pleasure in Others’ Pain?

Something I’ve always struggled to get my head around is this: why do people enjoy seeing others suffer? Why can anyone get a kick out of seeing someone punished, embarrassed, or hurt? It’s a question that hovers in the back of my mind because, to be honest, it isn’t in my nature to understand it.

And yet, we see it happening every single day—online, at work, in social groups, in the news. Whether it’s someone celebrating a celebrity scandal or taking joy in the downfall of a colleague, this phenomenon is everywhere. It makes me wonder: what’s going on inside their minds?

The truth is, there is a name for it: schadenfreude—a German word meaning “pleasure derived from another’s misfortune.” And while it might feel shocking or cruel, psychologists suggest it’s a very human experience.

Why it Happens

1. Self-Comparison
   Sometimes, seeing someone else stumble makes people feel better about themselves. It’s not about empathy or malice—it’s about reassurance: “At least that didn’t happen to me.” Our brains are wired to seek validation, and in a strange way, someone else’s failure can give that.
2. Perceived Justice
   We often like to see the world “balanced.” If someone we view as arrogant, unkind, or undeserving faces consequences, it feels like justice is being served. There’s a satisfaction in seeing fairness restored, even if it’s only symbolic.
3. Power and Control
   Watching someone else’s misfortune can create a fleeting sense of power or control. Even if we didn’t cause the situation, there’s a sense of safety in knowing we are not the ones suffering.
4. Empathy Differences
   Not everyone experiences empathy in the same way. For highly empathetic people like myself, the idea of enjoying another’s suffering is alien. But for others, their brains may simply not register the emotional cost to the other person as strongly, so the “pleasure” is less complicated for them.

Why It Feels Strange

If, like me, you naturally care about others, schadenfreude can feel deeply unsettling. We want to understand it, even though it conflicts with our values and instincts. And that’s okay. Struggling with this question isn’t a weakness—it’s a sign that we’re tuned into human suffering in a way that some people aren’t.

The Takeaway

Acknowledging this phenomenon doesn’t mean we condone it. But understanding it can make us more aware of our own emotional responses, and perhaps more patient or compassionate toward those whose wiring is different. It reminds us that empathy is a choice, and the world needs people who are willing to feel the discomfort of others’ pain without taking pleasure in it.

Because in the end, choosing empathy over schadenfreude is one of the quiet, radical ways we contribute to a kinder world.