PhD defence S.A.M. (Sandra) Zuiker

Below is a brief summary of the dissertation: 

Outperforming others is often regarded as something positive, yet success can also evoke discomfort. For example, people may feel uneasy when they sense that others are threatened by their achievements. This dissertation examines the emotional responses of outperformers and the role of personal characteristics and the relationship with the outperformed person in shaping these responses.
The findings show that both children and adults can feel uncomfortable when they outperform others. Outperformers who place strong value on maintaining good relationships or who tend to worry and ruminate experience more negative emotions. Others, however, primarily feel pride or satisfaction, such as outperformers with narcissistic tendencies, who are inclined to view themselves as superior and place less importance on relationships with others. The relationship with the person who is outperformed also matters: surpassing a colleague one likes often feels more unpleasant than surpassing someone one dislikes. Moreover, if outperformers believe that the other person has low self-esteem, this can diminish their own positive feelings about their success.
When schools and workplaces place heavy emphasis on performance and competition, the negative emotions associated with outperforming may intensify. Such environments seem particularly advantageous for individuals with, for instance, narcissistic tendencies, but disadvantageous for those who place high value on harmonious relationships. This research highlights the importance of acknowledging achievements with care, taking into account differences between individuals and the nature of their interpersonal relationships.