The Nature of Schadenfreude in Consumption Contexts: A Systematic Literature Review

Abstract

This study aims to present a holistic perspective on schadenfreude in the context of consumption and to provide a framework that theoretically explains the social-psychological mechanisms behind consumers' schadenfreude. For this purpose, a systematic literature review integrating studies on schadenfreude in the context of consumption has been conducted in our current study. A systematic literature review that integrates studies on schadenfreude in consumption contexts is employed. Drawing on appraisal theory and social comparison framework, a general overarching framework explaining the market and consumption-related mechanisms that elicit schadenfreude and its consumer and brand-related outcomes is suggested. We argue that the elicitation of consumer schadenfreude is dependent on the appraisal of social comparisons. In this framework, the roles of the market and consumption-related factors behind the schadenfreude elicitation, uncovering the general appraisal structure behind this emotion are explained. By doing this, implications for the firms on how to manage this emotion in the marketplace and the potential consequences of schadenfreude emotion on different types of brand-related outcomes are provided.