It’s an uncomfortable state, often associated with lost sleep as well as impaired social and cognitive functioning. In a series of studies, we found that people who have higher levels of psychological entitlement-who believe they deserve good things-actually felt victimized and angered when they experienced, remembered or imagined bad luck befalling them.įor most of us, anger arises when someone else causes us to suffer. Unfairness fires people up, whereas bad luck just disappoints.īut interestingly, this isn’t true for everyone.
Defeat is never fun, but losing a game of poker is less painful when it’s due to the luck of the draw rather than an opponent who’s cheating.
