Health · Medical Research · 7 hrs ago
Study finds small acts of revenge can feel rewarding
Psychologists at the University of Würzburg reviewed research on revenge and how it makes people feel.
They combined 54 studies involving about 14,600 people, mostly examining small acts of retaliation in everyday disputes.
Across the studies, people who imagined or carried out revenge often reported pleasure, satisfaction and a renewed sense of control.
The positive feelings were strongest during revenge and tended to fade afterward, while participants sometimes seemed to enjoy it more than they admitted.
The researchers did not recommend settling scores, because retaliation can harm relationships and lead to more conflict.
Some studies offered few alternatives to revenge, while real life may allow forgiveness, compromise or moving on; avoiding conflict and protecting important relationships may matter more than brief satisfaction.
A review of 54 studies found that people often feel pleasure, satisfaction and a renewed sense of control when they imagine or carry out revenge.
The studies involved around 14,600 people and focused on small acts of retaliation tied to everyday disputes.
The researchers found that the pleasant feelings were stronger during revenge than shortly afterward, suggesting they fade with time.
The findings challenge the idea that retaliation inevitably leaves people feeling worse.
The researchers cautioned that revenge can damage relationships and prompt further retaliation.
- Who
- Psychologists from the University of Würzburg in Germany conducted the research.
- What
- A review of 54 studies found that small acts of revenge were often associated with pleasure, satisfaction and a sense of control.
- When
- The article was published on 9 November 2026. The research date is not stated.
- Where
- The research team was from the University of Würzburg in Germany.
- Why
- The researchers examined how people feel when they imagine or carry out revenge. Their reason for conducting the review is not stated.
Popular belief that revenge leaves people feeling worse
Researchers' view
Emotional effects
Popular belief that revenge leaves people feeling worse
Retaliation is often portrayed as destructive and followed by guilt or shame.
Researchers' view
The reviewed studies linked imagined and enacted revenge with pleasant feelings, satisfaction and a sense of control.
Long-term effects
Popular belief that revenge leaves people feeling worse
Not stated.
Researchers' view
Researchers warned that revenge may sour relationships and provoke further retaliation.
This story does not have a timeline yet.
- Studies reviewed
- 54
- People involved
- Around 14,600
- Research team
- University of Würzburg, Germany
- Journal
- Emotion
- Publication date
- 9 November 2026
What people are saying
Both enacted and envisioned revenge were associated with pleasant feelings
This association was observed across different measurement types and assessment times, although it was stronger when feelings were assessed during revenge than shortly after revenge, suggesting that the pleasure of revenge fades with time.
There are other things beyond your own mood and feelings
Such as harmony, alliances and the safety of other people.