Related Experiment Video
Updated: Sep 6, 2025

A Conflict Model of Reward-seeking Behavior in Male Rats
Published on: February 20, 2019
The satisfaction is mine: revenge seeking following extrinsic reward
Karolina Dyduch-Hazar1, Blazej Mrozinski1
1SWPS University of Social Sciences and Humanities.
Abstract:
The extrinsic reward should impede revenge-seeking if revenge is solely driven by the desire to feel gratified. Study 1 (N = 114) showed that satisfaction from receiving monetary compensation decreased thinking about getting back at the provocateur. However, Study 2 (N = 213) found that insulted participants aggressed against their partners despite fulfillment from receiving the unexpected monetary reward. This evidence indicates that gratification is insufficient to impede revenge following provocation, suggesting that avengers want to feel pleasure when retaliating and want to balance the scales by sending offenders a message.
Related Concept Videos
Incentive Theory: Pull Theory of Motivation
The theory differentiates between...
Secondary Motives: Affiliation Motivation and Aggression Motivation
Timing and Consequences on Behavior
Humans, however, can respond to delayed reinforcers. We often make decisions between immediate small rewards and delayed larger rewards. This ability to delay gratification is a significant...
Secondary Motives: Power Motivation and Achievement Motivation
Power motivation is characterized by the desire to influence, control, or have an impact on others. It is shaped by an individual's experiences, social environment, and cultural context. People with high power motivation are...
Primary and Secondary Reinforcers
Effective reinforcers for humans vary depending on the individual and the context. Primary reinforcers, such as food, water, sleep, shelter, and pleasure, have inherent value and satisfy basic biological...
Self-Discrepancy Theory

