Fredericton — A recent study conducted by University of New Brunswick reported that most New Brunswick residents feel offended when their peers are successful, or even have aspirations to be successful.
The results of the study demonstrated that while seven per cent of the New Brunswickers surveyed felt “little to no bitterness” about the successes of their peers, the other 93 per cent identified as feeling “moderate to extreme bitterness.”
Many who participated in the survey, furthermore, claimed to “feel somewhat threatened,” and even “offended” by peers who openly appeared to have significant career aspirations.
“Let’s face it: most of us are lazy and unambitious, and would like to remain around others who are also lazy and unambitious,” admitted psychology professor Annie Bowling, 39, who teaches at the University of New Brunswick. “Others having ambition, and especially others having ambition anywhere near us, therefore, is seen as a threat to our livelihoods. And, as human beings, we tend to not take well to such a threat: we take it personally.”
“I started this academic study because I realized as a young adult that I hated it when people were more successful than me,” says Dr. Jake Torres, 51, who is a colleague of Bowling.
“With time, I realized I just hated it when people were successful in general. I’m pleased, therefore, to be able to announce that the vast majority of New Brunswickers feel the same way.”