Professor Crane was ecstatic when he learned that his research study had been approved for publication.His feelings of joy quickly disappeared,however,when he heard a colleague recently had three different research articles accepted for publication.His declining emotional satisfaction is best explained in terms of
A) a happiness set point.
B) relative deprivation.
C) the experience of flow.
D) the adaptation-level phenomenon.

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

The colleague's success makes Professor Crane feel deprived relative to his own achievements, leading to a decrease in his emotional satisfaction, which is known as relative deprivation. This phenomenon refers to the sense of dissatisfaction individuals feel when they compare themselves to others who are doing better than they are.

Professor Crane Was Ecstatic When He Learned That His Research