The Psychology Behind Revenge (2024)

Crime

• by Psychologs Magazine
• September 22, 2023
• 0 Comments
• 4 minutes read
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Revenge is the urge to exact retribution for an injustice or wrong committed by another person by inflicting hurt or harm on them. It is a strong and widespread human feeling and behavior that has been studied for ages in psychology, literature, and cinematography. Seeking revenge against someone who has mistreated us can take many different forms, ranging from quiet acts of punishment to violent acts of violence.

The pulsing intensity of revenge keeps us fastened in films ranging from Hamlet to The Count of Monte Cristo to Carrie and Gone Girl. However, revenge doesn’t just inspire stories in literature. Murderers frequently defend killing as necessary revenge, along with other horrific crimes that are allegedly given greater weight by their prior provocation.

Psychologists have found a variety of ways that the practice of revenge falls short of the ideals it was intended to fulfil in recent years. According to behavioral psychologists, inflicting pain on an offender alone does not satisfy someone’s desire for retribution; rather, revenge can extend the misery of the first offense. They have also discovered that revenge frequently merely leads to a circle of retaliation rather than bringing about justice, in part because one person’s moral balance rarely coincides with another’s.

This article explores the psychology behind revenge, illuminating the complex motives, emotional processes, and outcomes that underpin this complicated human behaviour.

Motivation Behind Revenge:

• Feeling of Injustice: It is one of the primary motivators for seeking revenge. When individuals perceive an injustice, they may feel a strong need to restore balance and punish the wrongdoer.
• Feeling Emotionally Hurt or Betrayal: Emotions such as anger, betrayal, and humiliation play a significant role in fuelling revenge. These emotions are overwhelming, leading individuals to seek revenge.

Emotional Process Behind Revenge:

• Planning: Revenge begins with a meticulous planning phase, during which the individual obsesses over the wrong they have suffered.
• Expectation: As the plan takes shape, individuals may experience a temporary sense of empowerment and satisfaction.
• Execution: The act of revenge is a highly emotional roller coaster experience. It provides a short-lived sense of relief and vindication.

Long-Term Effects of Revenge:

Individuals think that gaining retaliation will make them feel better and that taking revenge is a way to relieve their emotions. Taking about it is frequently portrayed in movies as a solution to right a wrong. However, getting even actually has the opposite impact.
Even if the first few seconds seem satisfying in the brain. Psychological researchers have discovered that seeking revenge actually makes the original misconduct seem worse for longer. Often, getting even only results in a vicious cycle of revenge. “A man who seeks revenge keeps his own wounds green, which would otherwise heal.” Francis Bacon

Consequences of Revenge:

1. Short-Term Satisfaction: It can provide a temporary sense of high satisfaction, and relief because it feels like justice has been served.
2. Conflict Escalation: When one person seeks revenge, it often prompts the wrongdoer to retaliate in return, which escalates conflicts. This leads to creating a cycle of revenge that can spiral out of control.
3. Long-Term Effects: It can perpetuate negative emotions and hinder emotional healing.
4. Social Consequences: Seeking revenge can damage one’s social relationships. Leading to increased isolation and loneliness.

Healthy Use of Revenge:

Individual’s emotional scars are aggravated and reopened by seeking revenge. While it may be tempting to punish a wrong, the person actually winds up punishing themselves since they are unable to recover.
There are some healthy methods to handle these emotions that will aid in one’s recovery and provide the person’s brain with the same benefits without the drawbacks:

• Use it to advance your objectives.
• Spend it on working hard to achieve your goals.
• Use it to move forward.

Alternative for Revenge:

• Forgiveness: It is a powerful alternative. It involves letting go of anger and choosing not to seek revenge. Exploration shows that forgiveness can lead to bettered mental health and well-being.
• Resolution of Conflict: Engaging in formative dialogue and conflict resolution can be a more effective way to address grievances than seeking revenge. Communication and negotiation can help resolve complex issues.
• Legal Help: In cases of severe injustice, legal help can give you with a structured and just means of addressing the issue. The legal system is designed to prorate out applicable discipline and compensation.