Not all public figures are equally beloved, and sometimes when more controversial celebrities get sick, it may negatively affect people's health intentions. In a study of people's reactions to radio host Rush Limbaugh's announcement of a lung cancer diagnosis and Kentucky Sen. Rand Paul's announcement of a diagnosis of COVID-19, researchers at Penn State found that those who took pleasure in their misfortune were themselves less likely to take steps to prevent lung cancer or COVID-19.
"Schadenfreude is the emotion of feeling pleasure in another's misfortune," said Jessica Gall Myrick, associate professor of media studies. "In our study, after learning the news of a politician's illness, if people felt schadenfreude, they were much less likely to intend to take the actions that would prevent either lung cancer or COVID-19."
In general, previous research by Myrick has found that coverage of celebrity ailments can raise public awareness of serious illnesses, which can then serve as a motivation for people to avoid bad activities or start new healthy routines. But most studies on the topic examine how the public responds to well-liked celebrities. Respondents were not asked if they liked or disliked the person reporting the illness in the current study, but rather if they felt schadenfreude upon hearing the news of Limbaugh and Paul.
Myrick and doctoral student Jin Chen of the Donald P. Bellisario College of Communications recently conducted two online surveys shortly after news coverage of illnesses associated with two provocative public figures. Their results were published in Journalism and Mass Communication Quarterly.
The first survey was conducted with 414 American adults following Limbaugh's February 2020 announcement that he was diagnosed with advanced lung cancer. The second survey was conducted in March 2020 to 407 American adults following Paul's announcement that he had been diagnosed with COVID-19. Paul was the first national politician to confirm a diagnosis. Respondents were recruited and the surveys were conducted using Amazon Mechanical Turk.
The researchers tested the idea that when the average person sees news coverage about the illness of a public figure that they do not like, then they can experience the emotion of schadenfreude. They examined how that feeling affected people's intentions to prevent themselves from getting sick after hearing the news about Limbaugh and Paul, respectively.
Both of these surveys showed the same pattern; the respondents who felt greater schadenfreude toward Limbaugh and Paul after learning of their illnesses were less inclined to take the steps to prevent lung cancer and COVID-19.
Political ideology was not related to feelings of schadenfreude, according to these studies. The only factor that could predict how much schadenfreude people felt was how well they believed they knew these famous individuals through the media.
"The more media exposure people had to these political figures, and the more familiar people felt they were knowledgeable about the political figures, the more pleasure they experienced in learning of their illness," Myrick said. "That pleasure in the political figure's pain seemed to demotivate people to take action to protect themselves."
Myrick added that schadenfreude is a positive emotion and when "we feel happy and pleased, we also feel safe." This may be the reason people are less likely to avoid the health risks.
"Basically, why would we do anything to alter this good feeling by confronting a depressing health threat and thinking about bad things that could happen to us?" Myrick said. "Because schadenfreude puts us in a pleasant, pleasure-filled state, we let our guards down for risks to our own health."
The findings could have serious public health implications, according to Myrick. It makes it hard for health advocates to convince some segments of the population to take preventative actions when controversial political figures get sick.
"We need additional research to figure out the underpinnings of these feelings to see if there are other ways," she said. "Either through encouraging empathy for the ill or maybe even by better channeling the feelings of schadenfreude toward positive action."
Source: Penn State
Very good website you have here but I was curious if you knew of any message boards that cover the same topics talked about in this article? I’d really love to be a part of online community where I can get feed-back from other knowledgeable individuals that share the same interest. If you have any recommendations, please let me know. Appreciate it!
I read this post fully about the resemblance of most up-to-date and previous technologies, it’s remarkable article.
Wow, that’s what I was looking for, what a data! present here at this webpage, thanks admin of this web site.
Hey very interesting blog!
Piece of writing writing is also a fun, if you be acquainted with then you can write otherwise it is complex to write.
I know this site provides quality based articles and additional information, is there any other website which provides such things in quality?
Simply wish to say your article is as surprising. The clearness in your publish is simply cool and i can assume you are a professional in this subject. Well with your permission allow me to grasp your RSS feed to stay up to date with forthcoming post. Thank you a million and please continue the gratifying work.
Wow, this article is pleasant, my sister is analyzing such things, thus I am going to tell her.
Wow, that’s what I was searching for, what a data! present here at this webpage, thanks admin of this web site.
When I originally commented I seem to have clicked the -Notify me when new comments are added- checkbox and now each time a comment is added I get four emails with the same comment. Is there a means you can remove me from that service? Thanks!
In fact no matter if someone doesn’t understand after that its up to other users that they will help, so here it happens.
After checking out a number of the blog articles on your web site, I really like your way of blogging. I saved it to my bookmark site list and will be checking back soon. Take a look at my web site as well and let me know how you feel.
This website was… how do I say it? Relevant!! Finally I have found something that helped me. Thanks a lot!
It is perfect time to make a few plans for the longer term and it is time to be happy. I have read this post and if I may I wish to recommend you few interesting things or advice. Perhaps you could write next articles relating to this article. I want to read more things approximately it!
Have you ever thought about creating an e-book or guest authoring on other sites? I have a blog centered on the same ideas you discuss and would really like to have you share some stories/information. I know my visitors would enjoy your work. If you are even remotely interested, feel free to send me an e mail.
Hi would you mind letting me know which hosting company you’re working with? I’ve loaded your blog in 3 completely different web browsers and I must say this blog loads a lot quicker then most. Can you suggest a good web hosting provider at a reasonable price? Kudos, I appreciate it!
What i do not realize is in fact how you’re now not really a lot more smartly-favored than you may be right now. You are so intelligent. You realize therefore significantly relating to this topic, produced me for my part believe it from so many various angles. Its like men and women don’t seem to be fascinated until it’s something to accomplish with Lady gaga! Your personal stuffs great. All the time deal with it up!
I blog frequently and I truly appreciate your content. This great article has really peaked my interest. I am going to bookmark your site and keep checking for new information about once a week. I subscribed to your RSS feed as well.
Hey there! This post couldn’t be written any better! Reading this post reminds me of my old room mate! He always kept talking about this. I will forward this post to him. Pretty sure he will have a good read. Thanks for sharing!
I like it when individuals come together and share views. Great website, keep it up!
What i do not realize is in reality how you’re not really a lot more well-liked than you may be right now. You are so intelligent. You know therefore significantly when it comes to this topic, produced me in my opinion consider it from so many numerous angles. Its like men and women aren’t interested unless it’s something to accomplish with Lady gaga! Your personal stuffs nice. All the time care for it up!
Please let me know if you’re looking for a article writer for your site. You have some really great posts and I believe I would be a good asset. If you ever want to take some of the load off, I’d absolutely love to write some material for your blog in exchange for a link back to mine. Please send me an e-mail if interested. Regards!
I really like what you guys are up too. This sort of clever work and coverage! Keep up the amazing works guys I’ve added you guys to blogroll.
Good day! This post couldn’t be written any better! Reading this post reminds me of my good old room mate! He always kept talking about this. I will forward this article to him. Pretty sure he will have a good read. Thanks for sharing!
This is my first time go to see at here and i am in fact impressed to read all at one place.
Hi, this weekend is pleasant for me, since this occasion i am reading this wonderful informative piece of writing here at my house.
Hello there! I know this is kinda off topic nevertheless I’d figured I’d ask. Would you be interested in exchanging links or maybe guest writing a blog article or vice-versa? My website addresses a lot of the same subjects as yours and I feel we could greatly benefit from each other. If you happen to be interested feel free to send me an e-mail. I look forward to hearing from you! Terrific blog by the way!
Hi there, I log on to your new stuff like every week. Your writing style is awesome, keep up the good work!
You really make it seem so easy with your presentation but I find this topic to be really something which I think I would never understand. It seems too complicated and very broad for me. I am looking forward for your next post, I will try to get the hang of it!
Incredible points. Solid arguments. Keep up the good work.
Very nice write-up. I definitely love this website. Keep writing!
I am actually thankful to the owner of this site who has shared this impressive piece of writing at at this place.
When someone writes an article he/she maintains the plan of a user in his/her mind that how a user can understand it. So that’s why this article is great. Thanks!
Very nice article, exactly what I wanted to find.
Excellent blog here! Also your website loads up fast! What host are you using? Can I get your affiliate link to your host? I wish my site loaded up as fast as yours lol
You really make it seem so easy with your presentation however I find this topic to be really something which I think I would never understand. It sort of feels too complicated and very extensive for me. I am looking forward in your next publish, I will try to get the hold of it!
Great post.
It’s really a cool and helpful piece of information. I’m satisfied that you shared this helpful info with us. Please stay us informed like this. Thank you for sharing.
Why viewers still use to read news papers when in this technological world all is accessible on net?
When I originally commented I seem to have clicked the -Notify me when new comments are added- checkbox and now each time a comment is added I get four emails with the same comment. Perhaps there is a way you can remove me from that service? Thanks!
Very rapidly this web site will be famous among all blogging and site-building users, due to it’s nice articles
I am really loving the theme/design of your weblog. Do you ever run into any web browser compatibility problems? A couple of my blog visitors have complained about my blog not operating correctly in Explorer but looks great in Chrome. Do you have any suggestions to help fix this issue?
If you wish for to take a great deal from this article then you have to apply such techniques to your won webpage.
Have you ever considered about including a little bit more than just your articles? I mean, what you say is valuable and all. Nevertheless think about if you added some great photos or video clips to give your posts more, “pop”! Your content is excellent but with images and clips, this site could undeniably be one of the most beneficial in its niche. Amazing blog!
I was recommended this website by my cousin. I am not sure whether this post is written by him as no one else know such detailed about my problem. You are wonderful! Thanks!
This post provides clear idea designed for the new viewers of blogging, that really how to do blogging and site-building.