What is compersion?

What is compersion?

• A. It is a fear of partner infidelity.
• B. It is a sense of envy toward others' relationships.
• C. It is the feeling of happiness or pleasure in response to a partner's involvement with someone else.
• D. It is a commitment to exclusivity in a relationship.

Answer: (C)

Compersion is the feeling of happiness or pleasure when your partner is involved with someone else. It’s the positive counterpart to jealousy—celebrating your partner’s happiness and growth even when it comes from a connection outside your own relationship. This often grows from trust, open communication, and a sense of security about your bond, and it can show up in both monogamous and nonmonogamous contexts. It’s not a fear of infidelity, which would be rooted in insecurity or jealousy. It’s not envy toward others’ relationships, which is about wanting what someone else has rather than celebrating your partner’s fulfillment. And it’s not a commitment to exclusivity, which centers on restricting partners to one relationship. An example is feeling genuine joy for your partner after a positive experience with someone else, rather than feeling threatened or hurt.

Compersion is the feeling of happiness or pleasure when your partner is involved with someone else. It’s the positive counterpart to jealousy—celebrating your partner’s happiness and growth even when it comes from a connection outside your own relationship. This often grows from trust, open communication, and a sense of security about your bond, and it can show up in both monogamous and nonmonogamous contexts.

It’s not a fear of infidelity, which would be rooted in insecurity or jealousy. It’s not envy toward others’ relationships, which is about wanting what someone else has rather than celebrating your partner’s fulfillment. And it’s not a commitment to exclusivity, which centers on restricting partners to one relationship. An example is feeling genuine joy for your partner after a positive experience with someone else, rather than feeling threatened or hurt.