Emotional Magnifying Glass: Why Does More Anger Make Things Seem More Unfair? Psychologists Reveal the Vicious Cycle of Deprivation

Emotional Magnifying Glass: Why Does More Anger Make Things Seem More Unfair? Psychologists Reveal the Vicious Cycle of Deprivation

Unfairness Dilemma: Psychological Experience of Relative Deprivation

We've all likely experienced this: seeing colleagues doing similar work but earning higher salaries, or friends always having amazing luck getting limited editions, feeling uncomfortable inside, even somewhat resentful. This psychological state of feeling "shortchanged" or "treated unfairly" is called—Relative Deprivation (RD) in psychology.

It doesn't refer to objectively having less in absolute terms, but subjectively feeling at an unfair disadvantage after comparison. Extensive research has found this "sense of unfairness" is an important breeding ground for aggressive behavior, social conflicts, even violent extremism.

German Experiment: Innovative Design of Relative Deprivation Game

Traditional theory suggests the path from relative deprivation to aggression is relatively direct: social comparison → awareness of disadvantage → feeling unfair → anger → aggressive behavior. Anger is seen as the result of relative deprivation and direct driver of aggression.

However, recent research by Trier University and Ruhr University Bochum published in BMC Psychology opens a new window for understanding the relationship between "sense of unfairness" and aggression. Their experiment reveals a more complex, even somewhat "vicious cycle" mechanism: our emotional states—not just anger but also reduced happiness—are not only results of deprivation but also "shape" and "amplify" our perception of unfairness.

Researchers designed an ingenious "relative deprivation game." Participants took turns betting with another player to win virtual coins representing real money. In the "deprived group," the algorithm was set to make participants gradually and significantly win much less than the other player; while in the "control group," rewards were basically fair.

Emotion Changes Perception: Amplification Effects of Anger and Happiness

Experimental results clearly replicated previous findings: "deprived group" participants experiencing unfair distribution indeed reported stronger deprivation feelings, less happiness, more anger, and displayed higher levels of aggressive behavior.

But the key insight came from in-depth analysis of the relationship between emotion, unfairness perception, and aggression. Research found when participants experienced unfair distribution, their increased anger and reduced happiness weren't just results of unfairness—they were strongly associated with participants feeling even stronger unfairness perception.

In other words, if you get angry about unfair distribution, this anger makes the situation seem "even more unfair"; simultaneously, if you feel reduced happiness, this lack of positive emotion may make it harder to see potential balance points, thus focusing more on the "deprived" part, strengthening unfairness perception.

Indirect Pathways: Dual Paths of Emotion Shaping Unfairness Perception

Through rigorous statistical modeling, research found besides the direct path from relative deprivation to aggression, two important indirect paths exist: 1. Deprivation experience → Reduced happiness → Enhanced unfairness perception → Increased aggression 2. Deprivation experience → Increased anger → Enhanced unfairness perception → Increased aggression

This discovery is significant, showing anger and reduced happiness play dual roles in the chain from relative deprivation to aggression. They are both results of unfairness and key factors shaping and intensifying unfairness perception, ultimately indirectly promoting aggression.

Vicious Cycle: Feedback Mechanism Between Emotion and Cognition

This is like a "feedback loop": unfairness triggers anger and reduced happiness, these emotions amplify unfairness perception, stronger deprivation brings stronger negative emotions and aggressive impulses, cycling repeatedly.

Strong anger indeed makes us "angrier the more we think," seeing everything as targeting us, unfair; while losing happiness makes it harder to interpret events positively, easier to fall into "victim" thinking. This emotional "coloring" effect on cognition was clearly validated in this experiment.

Four Solution Strategies: From Emotional Vortex to Solutions

1. **Be wary of anger's "magnifying glass" effect**: When feeling angry from comparison, realize this anger itself may be distorting your judgment, making things seem worse and more intolerable than reality. When anger peaks, try avoiding important decisions or confrontational actions.

2. **Actively seek "small blessings"**: Reduced positive emotions also help amplify unfairness perception. Consciously recording and experiencing positive events and small blessings in life, even when feeling unfair, helps maintain emotional balance, preventing cognition from sliding toward extreme "total negation."

3. **Step out of emotional vortex, seek "third-party perspective"**: When stuck in "why does he/she..." resentment, try examining your situation like a bystander. Ask: "Is my anger making me only see the bad side?" "Could my happiness filter be temporarily off?" Or talk to trusted friends for more objective views.

4. **Focus on solutions rather than dwelling on comparisons**: Relative deprivation stems from comparison. If comparison causes pain and may trigger destructive behavior, try shifting attention from "why does he have more than me" to "what can I do to improve my situation." Action itself brings control and positive emotions, breaking helplessness and anger cycles.

This research reminds us emotions aren't just passive reactions—they profoundly participate in shaping our understanding of the world. Understanding the complex emotional dynamics behind "sense of unfairness" gives us more awareness and choices when facing social comparison setbacks, avoiding being swept by emotions into unnecessary conflicts and harm.