TCU Expert Sarah Hill Explains the Psychology of Envy

Envy may have a bad reputation, but Sarah Hill, professor of psychology at TCU, says the uncomfortable emotion can serve an important purpose. In a recent Yahoo article exploring the psychology behind envy, Hill’s research helps explain why humans are so attuned to the advantages of others — and how those feelings can motivate us to act.

Hill’s research approaches envy from an evolutionary perspective, suggesting that noticing when others have an advantage can alert people to opportunities or resources important to their own success. Her research has also found that envy can sharpen attention: People experiencing envy paid closer attention to and better remembered information about the people they envied.

Rather than viewing envy simply as an emotion to suppress, Hill’s work suggests it can be understood as a signal — one that focuses our attention on what matters to us and can motivate us to close the gap between ourselves and others.