THE INFLUENCE OF JEALOUSY ON SUCCESS
A closer look at Gen Z's perspective
THE INFLUENCE OF JEALOUSY ON SUCCESS
A closer look at Gen Z's perspective
THE INFLUENCE OF JEALOUSY ON SUCCESS
A closer look at Gen Z's perspective
Lifestage effects
While belief in meritocracy is alive and well in the UK, with half the population considering that being competitive is important to success – we also find that almost a quarter admit to being jealous of others’ achievements. Jealousy appears to be particularly prevalent among the younger generation: 43% of Generation Z (those aged 27 and under) say they “often feel jealous of people who I think are more successful than me’ and a further 17% say they think many people are jealous of their own successes in life. In contrast, Baby Boomers (aged 58-78) report just seven per cent for both questions.
“Jealousy appears to be particularly prevalent among the younger generation: 43% of Generation Z (those aged 27 and under) say they ‘often feel jealous of people who I think are more successful than me.’”
Jealousy in a meritocratic society
Barack Obama was fond of the line “you can make it if you try,” advocating the notion of meritocracy. This is the notion that we deserve our success based on our own merit whether it be hard work or skills. A psychological principle, the just-world hypothesis outlines how we tend to consider events will have fair consequences for those involved. As such, we are inclined to assume both winners and losers are in that position due to their own capabilities and application.
% in UK agree
“fulfilment in life is achieving a prominent position in your career.”
Generation Z
Millennials
Generation X
Baby Boomers
The challenge is that many people feel their hard work and merit simply does not convert into success. This explains the relatively low numbers of people who say they feel they are “given recognition for the successes I have had in my life” (34%) and those who say they are more successful in life than most of their friends and family (15%). This lack of perceived success is at odds with the continuing belief in meritocracy, which can breed an environment in which resentment and jealousy can arise.
Jealousy is in the family of “self-conscious” emotions (which includes others such as pride and shame) all involving an evaluation of oneself in the light of others. Therefore, when we experience jealousy in the context of another group’s perceived wealth, it is not just a fleeting emotion but reflecting a deep-seated insecurity. This leads us to relative deprivation theory which states that when people compare themselves to others, and if when doing so, find themselves disadvantaged, then they are likely to feel anger and frustration.
That so many of the Gen Z population feel jealous of others’ success is of great concern. Some of this will be the degree to which we achieve some emotional equanimity with age – we know that older people tend to feel more satisfied with their lives, independent of how their achievements might be judged externally. By contrast, younger people feel they have more to prove and hold higher aspirations. For instance, 35% of Generation Z in the UK agree that “fulfilment in life is achieving a prominent position in your career,” ahead of Millennials (29%) and Generation X and Baby Boomers (both 18%). But the reality of the relative economic fortunes of these different groups and the challenges Generation Z may face in achieving key success milestones like homeownership will also play an important role.
“35% of Generation Z in the UK agree that ‘fulfilment in life is achieving a prominent position in your career.’”
The emergence of countertrends
Might the entrapment of jealousy compel the younger generation to consider alternative definitions of success? While 35% of Gen Z see a high-flying career as the way to life fulfilment, just as many disagree (36%). Fewer than one in five of the youngest generation say they like to do things that show they have money (18%). The emergence of countertrends around working hard - “quiet quitting” in the UK and US, “lying flat” in China – suggests that we may be seeing some people reconsidering what a good life entails.
“Should some members of this generation feel they are trapped in a competition they cannot win, they may reappraise what they value in life away from the familiar concepts held by older groups.”
Gen Z may indeed be the jealous generation, but looking at our wider data we would suggest this is a lifestage effect – a function of their age, rather than a unique cohort characteristic. But should some members of this generation feel they are trapped in a competition they cannot win, they may reappraise what they value in life away from the familiar concepts held by older groups. And that could well result in ever more interesting times as this cohort move through their own generational stages.
