What is Jealousy/Envy Tendency?

Jealousy/Envy Tendency is a mental model used for better thinking and decision-making.

How do you apply Jealousy/Envy Tendency?

To apply Jealousy/Envy Tendency, identify situations where this framework is relevant, then use it as a lens to evaluate your options and decisions. The model is most useful when combined with other complementary mental models.

What category does Jealousy/Envy Tendency fall under?

Jealousy/Envy Tendency falls under the Psychology & Behavior category of mental models. Other models in this category can be found on the Psychology & Behavior hub page.

Why is Jealousy/Envy Tendency important?

Jealousy/Envy Tendency is important because it provides a structured way to think about problems that would otherwise be approached with intuition alone. Understanding this model helps you avoid common reasoning errors and make better decisions.

Where does Jealousy/Envy Tendency come from?

Jealousy/Envy Tendency is discussed in the tradition of Charlie Munger.

Psychology & Behavior

Jealousy/Envy Tendency

Model #0940Category: Psychology & BehaviorSource: Charlie MungerDepth to apply:

4 min read

Contents

1. Core Idea
2. How to See It
3. How to Use It
4. Founders & Leaders
5. Connected Models
6. One Key Quote
7. Summary & Further Reading

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Psychology & Behavior

Section 1

Core Idea

Jealousy/Envy Tendency is the deep-seated human impulse to feel pain at the success or advantages of others — particularly those we perceive as similar to ourselves. Envy targets what others have; jealousy guards what we fear losing. Both distort decision-making by shifting the objective from absolute improvement to relative positioning. A founder who envies a competitor's funding round may make reckless financial decisions not because they need capital but because someone else got it. An executive who feels jealous of a peer's promotion may sabotage collaboration rather than pursue their own advancement. The tendency is especially dangerous because it's socially unacceptable to admit, which means it operates underground — disguised as "competitive analysis," "market awareness," or "strategic concern." Munger called envy the stupidest of the deadly sins because "you don't even get any fun out of it."