Psychotherapy Commission ACPEThe article discusses how people may spontaneously smile when observing an aggressive rival suffer, with facial muscle patterns indicating genuine pleasure in response to the rival's pain. It also explains that this reaction is linked to a sense of justice and the restoration of social balance, particularly in zero-sum or competitive contexts.
This topic is of interest to psychology readers because it examines the facial and emotional expressions linked to schadenfreude, highlighting how observed others' misfortunes can influence personal feelings and perceived social dynamics.
Article Title: The psychology of schadenfreude: an opponent’s suffering triggers a spontaneous smile
Link to PsyPost Article: https://www.psypost dot org/the-secret-joy-of-revenge-why-we-smile-when-a-rival-suffers-2026-03-26/
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#schadenfreude #emotions #facialemg #socialpsychology #justice感
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