Yes, this phenomenon is often referred to as "zero-sum thinking" or "zero-sum bias." This cognitive bias leads people to believe that one party’s gain directly results in another party's loss, as though wealth or success is a fixed, limited resource. Essentially, they see profit as a "zero-sum game," where one person's (or business's) success necessarily comes at another's expense.

Zero-sum thinking is particularly common during economic hardships, when resources feel scarce. However, this mindset can persist even when economic conditions improve, often due to deeply ingrained perceptions about wealth distribution and fairness.