Spite: A Bitter and Dangerous Emotion

  Spite is an emotion that’s been little explored. However, it’s extremely interesting from a psychological point of view. It’s an intense psychophysiological response of negative valence that’s experienced as a result of a betrayal, a disappointment, or some kind of personal affront. The injured person then begins to display behaviors that are both complex and dangerous. It’s common for the injured party to seek revenge. For example, if it’s an ex-partner who’s upset them, they might insult them on social networks, publish private information about them, or initiate a smear campaign. They might also embrace their perceived status as…