Doug NollI'm called in when human dynamics are getting in the way of strategic leadership execution.

The Nature of Vengeance

7 May 2013 · 1 min

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1:22

In this talk, the speaker argues that vengeance functions as an anticipatory emotion that triggers a dopamine-driven pleasure response when imagined, but the actual act of exacting revenge fails to produce the same neurochemical reward and often leaves individuals unsatisfied. He links this psychological dynamic to broader social phenomena, suggesting that the desire for vengeance helped fuel the 1980s mass incarceration movement and three‑strikes laws. The speaker also applies the insight to collaborative practice, warning that people may pursue actions—such as retaliatory behavior toward ex‑spouses or family members—driven by the imagined satisfaction of vengeance, only to experience a significant emotional letdown once the act is completed.

Chapters

Vengeance is a primary need of a victim. And vengeance is really interesting because it is an anticipatory emotion. In other words, when we think about vengeance, we're gonna go think about thumping the other guy. We get a dopamine rush, a pleasure rush of thinking about hurting the other guy. But what's really interesting is if you are actually able to exact vengeance there's no dopamine release. And nobody feels satisfied after thumping their oppressor. In fact, I would argue, and I do argue, that the reason for the mass incarceration movement of the 1980s, which included three strikes— vengeance is really powerful. And when you're engaged in your collaborative practice, I have no doubt that you see people who are doing what they're doing because they think they're trying to exact vengeance on their ex-spouse or on other family members. The problem is that after they have acted that vengeance, they're going to be— have a huge emotional letdown because what they're anticipating does not come to pass. It's the anticipating that releases the dopamine, not the actual act of vengeance itself.