Quiz: How Envious Are You? A Quick Check!

Love, Relationships & Breakups

Today's Friday • 9 mins read

Envy is what we feel when someone else has what we desire.

Niels van de Ven, professor of consumer psychology at Tilburg University, defines envy as “the pain that arises from the good fortune of others.”

But envy is not a single emotion; it may include one or more of these seven emotions: resentment, jealousy, inadequacy, frustration, longing, admiration, and anger.

More on that later. Now, take this quiz to find out your envy levels.

How Envious You Are: Take This Quiz

Benign and Malicious Envy Scale

Courtesy: Based on the Benign and Malicious Envy Scale (BMES), generally attributed to van de Ven et al. (2009) or Lange & Crusius (2015). Specific items adapted from the provided image.

Please indicate how much you agree or disagree with each statement based on how it generally describes you.

Response Options:

  • 1 – STRONGLY DISAGREE
  • 2 – DISAGREE
  • 3 – NEITHER DISAGREE NOR AGREE
  • 4 – AGREE
  • 5 – STRONGLY AGREE

1. When I envy others, I focus on how I can become equally successful in the future.

2. I wish that superior people lose their advantage.

3. If I notice that another person is better than me, I try to improve myself.

4. Envying others motivates me to accomplish my goals.

5. If other people have something that I want for myself, I wish to take it away from them.

6. I feel ill will toward people I envy.

7. I strive to reach other people’s superior achievements.

8. Envious feelings cause me to dislike the other person.

9. If someone has superior qualities, achievements, or possessions, I try to attain them for myself.

10. Seeing other people’s achievements makes me resent them.

Your Scores:

Total Envy Score: /50

Benign Envy Score: /25

Malicious Envy Score: /25

Interpretation:

  • Benign Envy: Higher scores suggest that when you experience envy, it tends to motivate you towards self-improvement and positive striving.
  • Malicious Envy: Higher scores suggest that when you experience envy, it tends to be associated with ill will, resentment, or a desire for others to lose their advantages.
  • Understanding your balance between benign and malicious envy can provide insight into how you react to others’ successes.