Description: The Joy of Pain by Richard H. Smith Few people confess easily to taking pleasure in the misfortunes of others. Maybe this is why there is no word for the feeling in English. And so schadenfreude, that beguiling German word, is borrowed to label the experience. This book, written by one of the worlds foremost scholars of envy and shame, explores the emotion we dare not admit. Although schadenfreude is hardly a feeling to nourish in oneself or to encourage as a cultural habit, Smith argues that there isno getting rid of it, when the misfortunes of others can lead to our benefit. FORMAT Paperback LANGUAGE English CONDITION Brand New Publisher Description Few people will easily admit to taking pleasure in the misfortunes of others. But who doesnt enjoy it when an arrogant but untalented contestant is humiliated on American Idol, or when the embarrassing vice of a self-righteous politician is exposed, or even when an envied friend suffers a small setback? The truth is that joy in someone elses pain--known by the German word schadenfreude--permeates our society.In The Joy of Pain,psychologist Richard Smith, one of the worlds foremost authorities on envy and shame, sheds much light on a feeling we dare not admit. Smith argues that schadenfreude is a natural human emotion, one worth taking acloser look at, as it reveals much about who we are as human beings. We have a passion for justice. Sometimes, schadenfreude can feel like getting ones revenge, when the suffering person has previously harmed us. But most of us are also motivated to feel good about ourselves, Smith notes, and look for ways to maintain a positive sense of self. One common way to do this is to compare ourselves to others and find areas where we are better. Similarly, the downfall of others--especially when theyhave seemed superior to us--can lead to a boost in our self-esteem, a lessening of feelings of inferiority. This is often at the root of schadenfreude. As the author points out, most instances ofschadenfreude are harmless, on par with the pleasures of light gossip. Yet we must also be mindful that envy can motivate, without full awareness, the engineering of the misfortune we delight in. And envy-induced aggression can take us into dark territory indeed, as Smith shows as he examines the role of envy and schadenfreude in the Nazi persecution of the Jews.Filled with engaging examples of schadenfreude, from popular reality shows to the Duke-Kentucky basketballrivalry, The Joy of Pain provides an intriguing glimpse into a hidden corner of the human psyche. Author Biography Richard H. Smith is Professor of Psychology at the University of Kentucky. He has published articles on various social emotions such as envy and shame and has pioneered experimental work on schadenfreude. His book Envy: Theory and Research was published by Oxford University Press in 2008. Table of Contents IntroductionChapter 1. The Highs of SuperiorityChapter 2. Looking Up by Looking DownChapter 3. Others Must FailChapter 4. Looking Out for #1Chapter 5. Deserved Suffering is SweetChapter 6. Suffering Gets PersonalChapter 7. HumilitainmentChapter 8. What Would Lincoln Do?Chapter 9. Envy Turns to PleasureChapter 10. Subterranean ThrillsChapter 11. Dark Pleasures UnleashedConclusion Review "[An] enjoyable book... worth reading for its insights into the dark side of human nature and the delightful drawings that turn up periodically in the text. Created by the authors daughter, Rosanna Smith, these depictions -- a tortoise raising its arm in victory, Aesops ant and grasshopper sharing a meal -- give the same sense of delight as those drawings that pepper the pages of The New Yorker" --IThe New York Times"The Joy of Pain presents an enjoyable mix of evidence from experimental psychology, pop culture and literature." -- Wall Street Journal"Smiths portrait of this complex response combines experimental studies with many well-chosen examples drawn from political scandals, biographies, reality-television shows, literature, sitcoms, cartoons and the observations of comedians and satirists. The Joy of Pain is a real joy to read -- and completely painless." --Nature"Smiths The Joy of Pain: Schadenfreude and the Dark Side of Human Nature, just out from Oxford University Press, is an entertaining explanation of the phenomenon, told through accounts of research as well as Smiths personal experiences and observations of popular culture." --Chronicle Review"An accessible, fun, schadenfreudean romp through pop culture (a contestant embarrasses himself on American Idol), sports (an opponent suffers injury), politics (an economic crisis during the other guys term), and, of course, religion (the downfall of an ultramoral Christian evangelist)." --Publishers Weekly"Richard Smiths long-awaited book is a profound, thoughtful meditation on one of the most puzzling and disturbing forms of human emotion. Mixing scientific research, popular culture, striking anecdotes, and personal reflection, it is a stimulating, enjoyable, yet unsettling read. I recommend it to anyone with a serious interest in human emotion and motivation -- and to anyone with an abiding curiosity about the peculiar twists and turns of human nature." --RoyF. Baumeister, author of Willpower: Rediscovering the Greatest Human Strength"A very enjoyable read; this is the most comprehensive collection of Schadenfreude research to date. Interweaving the science with historical and fictional anecdotes, Smith contextualizes and thereby humanizes the experience of Schadenfreude -- a feat unto itself. Readers will undoubtedly relish learning more about when and why anothers pain can be cause for pleasure." --Mina Cikara, Assistant Professor, Department of Social and Decision Sciences, CarnegieMellon University"Richard Smiths wonderful book gives us new insight into ourselves, and the dark emotions of envy and schadenfreude that we all feel, but like to deny. The book is fun and easy to read, even as it gives us insight into some of our darker emotions. You will learn more about yourself and the world from this book than most any book you have read recently. If you want a book that can improve you as a person, this book is it. Although it focuses on darkemotions, it shows the reasons for these emotions, how very pervasive they are, and how they can be overcome." --Ed Diener, Distinguished Professor of Psychology (Emeritus), University of Illinois atUrbana-Champaign"Erudite. Enviable. Engaging stories from popular culture, fiction, history, daily life, sports, and science. This will be the book you wish you had written. But instead of schadenfreude, you will feel admiration and gratitude to the author for his profound contribution." --Susan Fiske, Eugene Higgins Professor, Psychology & Public Affairs, Princeton University, author of Envy Up, Scorn Down"In The Joy of Pain, psychologist Richard Smith, one of the worlds foremost authorities on envy and shame, sheds much light on a feeling we dare not admit... Filled with engaging examples of schadenfreude, from popular reality shows to the Duke-Kentucky basketball rivalry, The Joy of Pain provides an intriguing glimpse into a hidden corner of the human psyche."--Science Book a Day Promotional A revealing exploration of the emotion of schadenfreude-the pleasure we take in the pain of others--and what it tells us about human nature. Long Description Few people will easily admit to taking pleasure in the misfortunes of others. But who doesnt enjoy it when an arrogant but untalented contestant is humiliated on American Idol, or when the embarrassing vice of a self-righteous politician is exposed, or even when an envied friend suffers a small setback? The truth is that joy in someone elses pain--known by the German word schadenfreude--permeates our society.In The Joy of Pain,psychologist Richard Smith, one of the worlds foremost authorities on envy and shame, sheds much light on a feeling we dare not admit. Smith argues that schadenfreude is a natural human emotion, one worth taking acloser look at, as it reveals much about who we are as human beings. We have a passion for justice. Sometimes, schadenfreude can feel like getting ones revenge, when the suffering person has previously harmed us. But most of us are also motivated to feel good about ourselves, Smith notes, and look for ways to maintain a positive sense of self. One common way to do this is to compare ourselves to others and find areas where we are better. Similarly, the downfall of others--especially when theyhave seemed superior to us--can lead to a boost in our self-esteem, a lessening of feelings of inferiority. This is often at the root of schadenfreude. As the author points out, most instances ofschadenfreude are harmless, on par with the pleasures of light gossip. Yet we must also be mindful that envy can motivate, without full awareness, the engineering of the misfortune we delight in. And envy-induced aggression can take us into dark territory indeed, as Smith shows as he examines the role of envy and schadenfreude in the Nazi persecution of the Jews.Filled with engaging examples of schadenfreude, from popular reality shows to the Duke-Kentucky basketballrivalry, The Joy of Pain provides an intriguing glimpse into a hidden corner of the human psyche. Review Text "[An] enjoyable book... worth reading for its insights into the dark side of human nature and the delightful drawings that turn up periodically in the text. Created by the authors daughter, Rosanna Smith, these depictions -- a tortoise raising its arm in victory, Aesops ant and grasshopper sharing a meal -- give the same sense of delight as those drawings that pepper the pages of The New Yorker" --IThe New York Times"The Joy of Pain presents an enjoyable mix of evidence from experimental psychology, pop culture and literature." -- Wall Street Journal"Smiths portrait of this complex response combines experimental studies with many well-chosen examples drawn from political scandals, biographies, reality-television shows, literature, sitcoms, cartoons and the observations of comedians and satirists. The Joy of Pain is a real joy to read -- and completely painless." --Nature"Smiths The Joy of Pain: Schadenfreude and the Dark Side of Human Nature, just out from Oxford University Press, is an entertaining explanation of the phenomenon, told through accounts of research as well as Smiths personal experiences and observations of popular culture." --Chronicle Review"An accessible, fun, schadenfreudean romp through pop culture (a contestant embarrasses himself on American Idol), sports (an opponent suffers injury), politics (an economic crisis during the other guys term), and, of course, religion (the downfall of an ultramoral Christian evangelist)." --Publishers Weekly"Richard Smiths long-awaited book is a profound, thoughtful meditation on one of the most puzzling and disturbing forms of human emotion. Mixing scientific research, popular culture, striking anecdotes, and personal reflection, it is a stimulating, enjoyable, yet unsettling read. I recommend it to anyone with a serious interest in human emotion and motivation -- and to anyone with an abiding curiosity about the peculiar twists and turns of human nature." --RoyF. Baumeister, author of Willpower: Rediscovering the Greatest Human Strength"A very enjoyable read; this is the most comprehensive collection of Schadenfreude research to date. Interweaving the science with historical and fictional anecdotes, Smith contextualizes and thereby humanizes the experience of Schadenfreude -- a feat unto itself. Readers will undoubtedly relish learning more about when and why anothers pain can be cause for pleasure." --Mina Cikara, Assistant Professor, Department of Social and Decision Sciences, CarnegieMellon University"Richard Smiths wonderful book gives us new insight into ourselves, and the dark emotions of envy and schadenfreude that we all feel, but like to deny. The book is fun and easy to read, even as it gives us insight into some of our darker emotions. You will learn more about yourself and the world from this book than most any book you have read recently. If you want a book that can improve you as a person, this book is it. Although it focuses on darkemotions, it shows the reasons for these emotions, how very pervasive they are, and how they can be overcome." --Ed Diener, Distinguished Professor of Psychology (Emeritus), University of Illinois atUrbana-Champaign"Erudite. Enviable. Engaging stories from popular culture, fiction, history, daily life, sports, and science. This will be the book you wish you had written. But instead of schadenfreude, you will feel admiration and gratitude to the author for his profound contribution." --Susan Fiske, Eugene Higgins Professor, Psychology & Public Affairs, Princeton University, author of Envy Up, Scorn Down"In The Joy of Pain, psychologist Richard Smith, one of the worlds foremost authorities on envy and shame, sheds much light on a feeling we dare not admit... Filled with engaging examples of schadenfreude, from popular reality shows to the Duke-Kentucky basketball rivalry, The Joy of Pain provides an intriguing glimpse into a hidden corner of the human psyche." --Science Book a Day Review Quote "[An] enjoyable book... worth reading for its insights into the dark side of human nature and the delightful drawings that turn up periodically in the text. Created by the authors daughter, Rosanna Smith, these depictions -- a tortoise raising its arm in victory, Aesops ant and grasshopper sharing a meal -- give the same sense of delight as those drawings that pepper the pages of The New Yorker" --IThe New York Times "The Joy of Pain presents an enjoyable mix of evidence from experimental psychology, pop culture and literature." -- Wall Street Journal "Smiths portrait of this complex response combines experimental studies with many well-chosen examples drawn from political scandals, biographies, reality-television shows, literature, sitcoms, cartoons and the observations of comedians and satirists. The Joy of Pain is a real joy to read -- and completely painless." --Nature "Smiths The Joy of Pain: Schadenfreude and the Dark Side of Human Nature, just out from Oxford University Press, is an entertaining explanation of the phenomenon, told through accounts of research as well as Smiths personal experiences and observations of popular culture." --Chronicle Review "An accessible, fun, schadenfreudean romp through pop culture (a contestant embarrasses himself on American Idol), sports (an opponent suffers injury), politics (an economic crisis during the other guys term), and, of course, religion (the downfall of an ultramoral Christian evangelist)." --Publishers Weekly "Richard Smiths long-awaited book is a profound, thoughtful meditation on one of the most puzzling and disturbing forms of human emotion. Mixing scientific research, popular culture, striking anecdotes, and personal reflection, it is a stimulating, enjoyable, yet unsettling read. I recommend it to anyone with a serious interest in human emotion and motivation -- and to anyone with an abiding curiosity about the peculiar twists and turns of human nature." --Roy F. Baumeister, author of Willpower: Rediscovering the Greatest Human Strength "A very enjoyable read; this is the most comprehensive collection of Schadenfreude research to date. Interweaving the science with historical and fictional anecdotes, Smith contextualizes and thereby humanizes the experience of Schadenfreude -- a feat unto itself. Readers will undoubtedly relish learning more about when and why anothers pain can be cause for pleasure." --Mina Cikara, Assistant Professor, Department of Social and Decision Sciences, Carnegie Mellon University "Richard Smiths wonderful book gives us new insight into ourselves, and the dark emotions of envy and schadenfreude that we all feel, but like to deny. The book is fun and easy to read, even as it gives us insight into some of our darker emotions. You will learn more about yourself and the world from this book than most any book you have read recently. If you want a book that can improve you as a person, this book is it. Although it focuses on dark emotions, it shows the reasons for these emotions, how very pervasive they are, and how they can be overcome." --Ed Diener, Distinguished Professor of Psychology (Emeritus), University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign "Erudite. Enviable. Engaging stories from popular culture, fiction, history, daily life, sports, and science. This will be the book you wish you had written. But instead of schadenfreude, you will feel admiration and gratitude to the author for his profound contribution." --Susan Fiske, Eugene Higgins Professor, Psychology & Public Affairs, Princeton University, author of Envy Up, Scorn Down "In The Joy of Pain, psychologist Richard Smith, one of the worlds foremost authorities on envy and shame, sheds much light on a feeling we dare not admit... Filled with engaging examples of schadenfreude, from popular reality shows to the Duke-Kentucky basketball rivalry, The Joy of Pain provides an intriguing glimpse into a hidden corner of the human psyche." --Science Book a Day Feature Selling point: Explores a fascinating side of human emotion few will admit.Selling point: Probes pop culture, television, sports, and politics to show how pervasive schadenfreude is in our lives.Selling point: Includes a daring analysis of the role of mass schadenfreude in World War II.Selling point: Features original and clever illustrations. Details ISBN0199393710 Pages 256 Year 2014 ISBN-10 0199393710 ISBN-13 9780199393718 Format Paperback Subtitle Schadenfreude and the Dark Side of Human Nature DEWEY 152.4 Language English Media Book Short Title JOY OF PAIN Author Richard H. Smith Illustrations black & white illustrations Position Professor of Psychology Place of Publication New York Country of Publication United States Affiliation Professor of Psychology, University of Kentucky NZ Release Date 2014-09-25 US Release Date 2014-09-25 UK Release Date 2014-09-25 Publisher Oxford University Press Inc Publication Date 2014-09-25 Imprint Oxford University Press Inc Alternative 9780199734542 Audience Undergraduate AU Release Date 2014-08-12 We've got this At The Nile, if you're looking for it, we've got it. With fast shipping, low prices, friendly service and well over a million items - you're bound to find what you want, at a price you'll love! TheNile_Item_ID:131391930;
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ISBN-13: 9780199393718
Book Title: The Joy of Pain
Number of Pages: 256 Pages
Publication Name: The Joy of Pain: Schadenfreude and the Dark Side of Human Nature
Language: English
Publisher: Oxford University Press Inc
Item Height: 235 mm
Publication Year: 2014
Type: Textbook
Item Weight: 332 g
Subject Area: Biological Psychology
Author: Richard H. Smith
Item Width: 157 mm
Format: Paperback