Envy Up, Scorn Down

In "Envy Up, Scorn Down," social psychologist Susan Fiske delves into the psychological reasons behind why individuals compare themselves to others of different social statuses. By examining the widening economic divide in the United States, Fiske explores the motivations behind feelings of envy and scorn, supported by a wealth of psychological studies and her own extensive research. She reveals the distinct biological, emotional, cognitive, and behavioral traits associated with these social comparisons, highlighting that while everyone is predisposed to compare, some are more susceptible to these feelings than others.