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Sympathetic Joy Quiz

Do you notice joy in others? Can you share in their happiness, even when you’re having a hard time? When a friend is successful, do you feel uplifted or find inspiration in their accomplishments, rather than feeling resentment or envy?

If so, you’re experiencing sympathetic joy, which scientists sometimes also call appreciative joy, empathic joy, or (more broadly) positive empathy. In Buddhist psychology, sympathetic joy is one of the four core virtues or “brahmavihāras” (along with equanimity, loving-kindness, and compassion), and research has found that might come with substantial benefits. Witnessing another’s joy can activate your own brain’s reward pathways, which means their happiness is rubbing off on you. Sharing joy might strengthen your sense of connection with other people and your willingness to help them out.

This quiz aims to measure your tendency to experience sympathetic joy. It’s based on the Appreciative Joy Scale developed in 2016 by a team of psychologists at universities in China, Hong Kong, and Australia.

Please answer the 13 questions below honestly; there are no right or wrong answers. The last seven questions are about you, and will be used to explore how sympathetic joy relates to factors like age and gender.

When you're done, you'll get your score, learn more about the benefits of sympathetic joy, and find resources to strengthen your ability to share in other people’s happiness.

Any responses submitted here will never be shared with any organization outside the Greater Good Science Center under any circumstances, ever. All responses are anonymized and only used in aggregate for evaluation purposes.

 
1. I am sincerely happy for the achievements of friends or family.
I am sincerely happy for the achievements of friends or family.
2. When I think of a friend or family member, the first thing that comes to mind is their positive qualities.
When I think of a friend or family member, the first thing that comes to mind is their positive qualities.
3. Even if my friends or family are better than me at something, I am still quite willing to see them succeed.
Even if my friends or family are better than me at something, I am still quite willing to see them succeed.
4. When I see another’s wish finally come true, I often have the feeling of “How wonderful this is.”
When I see another’s wish finally come true, I often have the feeling of “How wonderful this is.”
5. I notice the many little kind acts performed by my friends or family.
I notice the many little kind acts performed by my friends or family.
6. I still have the ability to share in other people’s happiness even when I am going through bad times.
I still have the ability to share in other people’s happiness even when I am going through bad times.
7. I feel blissful for the celebrations of friends or family, such as weddings and birthdays.
I feel blissful for the celebrations of friends or family, such as weddings and birthdays.
8. The smiles of other people are very pleasing and joyful to me.
The smiles of other people are very pleasing and joyful to me.
9. If I were asked to describe my friends and family, I could quickly point out many of their merits.
If I were asked to describe my friends and family, I could quickly point out many of their merits.
10. Even when I am experiencing misfortune, I still hope that friends and family can lead a happy life.
Even when I am experiencing misfortune, I still hope that friends and family can lead a happy life.
11. I feel joyful when I see other people immersed in their happiness.
I feel joyful when I see other people immersed in their happiness.
12. It is often the little things about friends and family that make me think of how good they are.
It is often the little things about friends and family that make me think of how good they are.
13. I can easily tell which kind of joy people are experiencing (like amusement, pride, or gratitude) and understand why they feel that way.
I can easily tell which kind of joy people are experiencing (like amusement, pride, or gratitude) and understand why they feel that way.
14. What is your age?
What is your age?
15. Please select your ethnic background (if you identify with more than one ethnicity, select the one you identify with the most, or select multiethnic).
Please select your ethnic background (if you identify with more than one ethnicity, select the one you identify with the most, or select multiethnic).
16. In terms of your gender identity, do you see yourself as:
In terms of your gender identity, do you see yourself as:
17. Please provide your best estimate of your annual household income in USD (before taxes).
Please provide your best estimate of your annual household income in USD (before taxes).
18. How would you describe your political views?
How would you describe your political views?
19. How religious or spiritual are you?
How religious or spiritual are you?
20. How much do you identify with (that is, feel a part of, feel love toward, have concern for) other people in general?
How much do you identify with (that is, feel a part of, feel love toward, have concern for) other people in general?