The Schadenfreude Scale: Measure Your Joy at Others' Misfortune

Worried that you relish others’ misfortunes a little too much?

By Mark Travers, Ph.D. | Last Updated: March 18, 2026

Schadenfreude is the experience of pleasure, joy, or self-satisfaction that comes from learning of or witnessing the troubles, failures, or humiliation of another. This scale, developed by researchers Crysel and Webster, is designed to quantify this complex emotion. Take this assessment to see how your reactions to others' misfortunes compare to the general population. For further self-discovery, you might also be interested in our Sadism Scale or the Aggressive Humor Style Scale.

Schadenfreude: Take The 12-Item Test

Complete the questions below. For best results, answer honestly and trust your first instinct.

1. I enjoy watching segments of videos where people fall.

2. I enjoy slapstick comedy where characters get hurt.

3. I have laughed at someone who has fallen before helping them up.

4. I enjoy reading “most embarrassing moment” stories.

5. It’s funny when a person walks into a closed sliding-glass door.

6. I think it’s funny when I see a person make a fool of himself or herself.

7. I enjoy it when others get low grades.

8. I like watching others on their bad day.

9. I enjoy seeing someone’s computer crash.

10. I like to see someone successful get fired.

11. I take pleasure in another’s failure.

12. I laugh when someone just misses the bus.

Now, enter your demographics to see how you stack up against others.

First Name

Age

Gender

Region

Source

Crysel, L. C. & Webster, G. D. (2018). Schadenfreude and the spread of political misfortune. PLOS One, 13(9), 1-27. [Read Paper]

Frequently Asked Questions

How long does this quiz take?
It takes about 1-2 minutes to complete.

Are my responses private?
Yes, all The Schadenfreude Scale answers are anonymized and confidential.

Can I take this test more than once?
Yes, you can retake the test any time to see how your The Schadenfreude Scale results may have changed.

What does a high score mean?
A high score suggests a greater tendency to derive pleasure from the misfortunes of others. This is often associated with traits like aggression or lower empathy, but it can also be a situational response to disliked individuals.

Is schadenfreude a mental illness?
No, schadenfreude is a common human emotion and not a mental illness. However, excessive or lack of control over this emotion can be associated with certain personality traits that might benefit from professional exploration.

Disclaimer

This scale is designed for entertainment purposes and is not a substitute for professional diagnosis or treatment.

The Schadenfreude Scale: Measure Your Joy at Others' Misfortune

Schadenfreude: Take The 12-Item Test

Now, enter your demographics to see how you stack up against others.

Source

Frequently Asked Questions

Disclaimer

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