The Universality of Envy as its Attributive Property

Abstract

Purpose: to justify universality as an attribute of envy based on the analysis of theoretical and empirical studies of the envy phenomenon. Results: the envy universality is substantiated scientifically as its attribute based on the analysis of theoretical and empirical studies of the envy phenomenon. A brief review of the interdisciplinary approaches to the study of the universality phenomenon is carried out. The revealed patterns can be applied to further systematic theoretical study of envy and the development of diagnostic tools for its empirical studies. Conclusion: taking into account the external and internal determinants of envy and relying on the system-relational approach to the study of envy by T.V. Beskova, we note that the socio-psychological nature of envy is that anyone can experience envy, including a successful one (since the assessment of success is subjective). Based on the analysis and generalization of the researchers’ views, we can conclude that the idea of universality and the envy inevitability is dominant and defines methodological approaches to theoretical and empirical research of envy as a complex structured phenomenon. It suggests the possibility of considering envy as a basic anthropological category in interpersonal relationships. However, the universality of envy does not exclude individual differences in the intensity and the level of envy manifestation stability, as well as in the subject field of envy.