I feel bad and strange about this.
I am actually a person who treats those I care about and even most strangers I meet with kindness.
But sometimes when I hear in the news of something bad happening to a person, or even a large group of people like sometimes from a natural disater or something, I seem to take some kind of, not pleasure, but like satisfaction of some type in it. Others times, I feel very compassionate for the people. The only thing that comes to my mind is it is the distorted result of a competitive drive within me?
2007-07-11 03:19:25 · 9 answers · asked by Rider M 2 in Social Science ➔ Psychology
Hey Dirk, I bench press 325, how about you?
2007-07-11 03:37:17 · update #1
Don't feel alone, I feel the same way. I do not know why you and I share this feeling, but I don't feel bad about it so much anymore. Being kind to strangers and compassionate to people is a very admirable so don't feel bad. I'm still confused about this odd emotion so just remember you're not alone.
Zombie
2007-07-11 03:24:03 · answer #1 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Perhaps what you're feeling is some form of catharsis - that sense of emotional relief that people get after watching or reading something sad or stressful. The concept of catharsis has been around since the ancient Greeks and is very normal.
That's why people like sad movies sometimes - that sense of "thank God it's not me" tends to put some people at ease. And experiencing those emotions for a brief period of time, like when you watch a movie, can be cleansing.
If that's the type of thing you're feeling then rest assured, it's completely normal. On the other hand if you find yourself consistently wanting to seek out news of actual bad things happening to actual people because you take joy in observing their pain, like the pain itself is pleasurable to you, then I might get a little concerned. Or, if you find yourself having the impulse to say something mean or do something hurtful to someone just to observe their response, then again it's time to worry.
This is something a psychologist could probably answer easily in one session, and seeing one might put your mind at ease if it's bothering you a lot. But from your description you don't sound twisted or anything!
Good luck figuring it out!
2007-07-12 04:23:03 · answer #2 · answered by Iris 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
The Germans have a word for it - 'schadenfreude'. It's not distored, it's normal for competitive people to gloat. You could overcome it with patience.
I am not in favour of competition - it is the opposite of harmony.
2007-07-11 10:30:34 · answer #3 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
It's a security issue. It's the base level human instinct that lets us feel..It aint so bad after all.
2007-07-11 10:22:28 · answer #4 · answered by XRAYDELTA1 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
competative drive in you,,hahahahahaha...your a woos and feel sorry for just about anyone, go to the gym. and get some self asteem
2007-07-11 10:25:57 · answer #5 · answered by dirk o 3 · 0⤊ 1⤋
It's so common there is a word for it.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Schadenfreude
2007-07-11 10:26:07 · answer #6 · answered by Ambivalence 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I think it is just a case of being glad it's not you. That is just human.
2007-07-11 10:30:53 · answer #7 · answered by kitkat 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
especially when people are bad to me
2007-07-11 10:29:23 · answer #8 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
I think you should see a therapist.
2007-07-11 10:26:11 · answer #9 · answered by ? 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋