Neneh Royal's victory on America’s Got Talent (AGT) marks a significant milestone for Thai women on the global stage, with many expressing congratulations. However, some dissenting voices suggest her success was more due to luck than skill.
A simple congratulation, which seems easy to give, can be difficult for some. This phenomenon is not new but reflects human psychology, prompting us to reconsider. Understanding this mindset can help us let go and genuinely enjoy the success around us.
Psychologically, the inability to rejoice in others' achievements doesn't necessarily mean that person is"bad"but often stems from self-protective mechanisms and subconscious thought patterns influenced by key factors.
One reason some find it hard to celebrate others is a psychological framework called the Zero-Sum Mindset, which views success as a limited cake.
With this mindset, seeing others succeed is interpreted as a loss of one's own share, creating a feeling of defeat despite no actual loss.
In reality, others' achievements or Neneh's global victory do not take away space or diminish anyone's life value.
The doubt that"they won because of luck"is not just a common opinion but a psychological mechanism called Attribution Bias.
This mechanism causes us to undervalue others' success as due to luck or timing, while viewing our own success as skill and hard work. Minimizing others' efforts protects our pride and prevents feelings of inferiority.
Have youeverwondered why seeing someone with a similar background succeed can make us uncomfortable? Whether they share our nationality, generation, or starting point.
This is called Relative Deprivation, where the brain compares and asks,"Why can't I do what they do?"The resulting feelings of inferiority often manifest as fault-finding or unconsciously devaluing others.
Aspect | Perspective of genuine congratulations (Freudenfreude) | Perspective of envy and devaluation (Zero-Sum / Envy) |
View of success | Seen as inspiration; effort rewarded | Seen as luck, hidden factors, or easily gained |
Internal feelings | Fulfilled, positive energy, sensing new possibilities | Uncomfortable, feeling defeated or inferior |
Expressions | Praise, respect, congratulatory messages | Sarcasm, fault-finding, criticism, or opposing comments |
Effects on self | Improved mental health, motivation to self-improve | Accumulated stress, biases, and fixation on comparisons |
What can we learn from this phenomenon? The answer lies in a psychological conceptcalled "Freudenfreude"a German term meaning the joy felt when seeing others succeed, opposite to"Schadenfreude"which is pleasure derived from others' misfortune.
Shifting perspective to find happiness in others' achievements is a highly effective mental health practice. When the mind finds joy more easily, daily happiness becomes easier to discover.
The drama over differing views on Neneh Royal’s victory is not about finding right or wrong but reflects society's mindset in the social media era. Being open to celebrating others’ success does not mean defeat or inferiority, because the world is big enough for everyone’s success. When we stop viewing others as competitors and cease comparing achievements, our minds will find true peace and happiness.
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