Envy Theory: Perspectives on the Psychology of Envy

Concerned with the varying aspects of envy, Dr. Nanivaggi presents a masterful review and compelling theoretical model for understanding pathological and healthy aspects of this poorly understood emotion. Drawing from psychology, psychoanalysis, and the humanities, this volume provides new perspectives on this neglected topic. — Fred R. Volkmar, M.D., director, Child Study Center, Yale University School of Medicin, chief of Child Psychiatry Yale New Haven Hospital

It was a pleasure to read the Envy Theory. In this book, Dr Ninivaggi has skillfully integrated psychological and psychoanalytical concepts to propose a comprehensive model of envy. The book reflects the author”s clear understanding of this relatively understudied phenomenon. I am particularly impressed by the concept of nuclear envy which fills an important gap in our understanding of envious relationships. For this reason, I believe that this book will establish envy as a core module of the mind. Dr Ninivaggi has perfected the art of presenting complex concepts in simple language. This perfection has made this book highly readable and interesting. Since the Envy Theory provides better understanding of the human mind and helps us analyze human relations in a novel context, I am sure it will enthuse clinical practitioners and scholars. — Rajendra Badgaiyan, M.D., Harvard Medical School

This ambitious book by Dr. Frank Ninivaggi takes on the task of understanding envy. It will be a very satisfying read for anyone interested in truly understanding the nature of this important, complex emotion. Much contemporary research on envy in the social sciences has ignored unconscious aspects of the emotion, but Dr. Ninivaggi, is able to bring his psychoanalytic perspective to bear on the question, while also integrating his ideas with current work in neuroscience, psychology, and other disciplines. There are many bold and exciting ideas in this book, such as the claim that the maturation of envy in people can lead to healthy outcomes and the novel idea of the “infant”s dilemma,” a blend of primary love and envy felt toward the mother. This book will challenge and stretch readers, but the dividends are a better understanding of envy and of many other aspects of human nature. — Richard Smith, University of Kentucky

Growing out of and expanding on the seminal work of Melanie Klein (in particular, the essays collected in Envy and Gratitude, 1957) and other psychoanalytic writers―and drawing on the author”s extensive clinical experience with children and adults―this book presents a new theory of the psychodynamics of envy and its role in both healthy and unhealthy personality development. Ninivaggi, a psychiatrist who has also published books on Ayurvedic medicine (e.g., Ayurveda: A Comprehensive Guide to Traditional Indian Medicine for the West, 2008), proposes that envy, both unconscious and conscious, is a powerful human force that structures relationships with others, particularly those closest to one. Along with what he calls “primary love,” envy is evident at the very beginning of the infant”s attachment to the mother and is the expression of a “primitive, innate destructiveness.” Envy, according to the author, has many manifestations and is deeply woven into life at many levels, from an individual”s thoughts and feelings to mythology and religion. Those outside the psychoanalytic realm may find some of the author”s conclusions challenging. This is, nevertheless, a nuanced and creative exploration of one of the most complex emotions. Summing Up: Recommended.