A new meta-analysis examining the neural mechanisms of envy has revealed that different types of envy, including trait envy, social comparison envy, and love-envy, activate distinct regions in the brain. The findings, based on 13 functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) studies, provide a deeper understanding of how these emotions are processed neurologically. Researchers analysed the studies to identify similarities and differences in brain activity related to these three types of envy.
The study by Shuchang Dai and colleagues from Zhejiang University of Technology and Xidian University highlights how various types of envy trigger various brain functions. While envy is commonly understood as a complex emotional response involving feelings of inferiority, resentment, and hostility, this research is the first to explore the neural activity associated with different forms of envy in such detail. The findings were published in the journal Frontiers in Psychology.
The meta-analysis focused on three specific types of envy: trait envy (also referred to as personality envy), social comparison envy, and love–envy. The first of these, trait envy, refers to a more general form of envy that individuals feel when they perceive others as being socially or materially superior. Social comparison envy arises in situations where individuals compare their own social status or possessions to those of others, while love–envy is typically associated with romantic relationships and jealousy over a partner’s attention to a third party.
In the case of trait envy, the researchers found that critical brain regions such as the inferior frontal gyrus and the cingulate gyrus were activated. These areas are known for their role in regulating emotions and cognitive control, suggesting that individuals experiencing this form of envy engage in emotional regulation to suppress negative feelings.
Social comparison envy, which is more context-specific and emerges from direct comparisons with others, activated the middle frontal gyrus and precuneus. These areas are associated with self-referential thinking and processing social information, indicating that individuals experiencing social comparison envy may focus more on their status relative to others.
Love-envy, often linked to romantic jealousy, was found to activate regions such as the insula and the superior frontal gyrus, both of which are related to emotional processing and self-awareness. The insula, in particular, plays a role in how individuals perceive their emotions, possibly explaining the intense emotional experiences associated with romantic jealousy.
Interestingly, the study also identified that, while these different types of envy activated distinct regions of the brain, they shared similar mechanisms of emotional regulation. The researchers observed that the brain regions responsible for regulating emotions, such as the superior frontal gyrus and inferior parietal lobule, were active across all three types of envy. This suggests that, regardless of the type of envy, the brain utilises similar cognitive processes to manage and suppress negative emotional responses.
The study also supports the cognitive control model of emotion regulation, which posits that the brain follows a top-down approach to managing emotions. In this model, higher brain regions, such as the frontal cortex, work to regulate emotional responses, helping individuals to control their feelings and prevent them from manifesting in destructive ways.
