The two sides of envy: understanding of benign and malicious envy in Russian students

This article is devoted to the research of envy on the basis of the research of young scholars of Kuban State University, attended by N=119 respondents aged from 17-18 years old (F=31, M=27) to 23-24 years old (F=32, M=29). We propose to extend earlier conceptualizations of envy by distinguishing the two forms that constitute emotional pathways in responding to status threats. According to this perspective, benign envy is a reaction to a loss of prestige leading to behaviors directed at regaining status. Therefore, people who are inclined to experience benign envy make more positive impressions on others, improve their performance, and, ultimately, reach better well-being. Thus, we argue that dispositional benign envy may contribute to societal flourishing. In contrast, malicious envy is a reaction to dominant others leading to behaviors directing at harming their status.