“Revenge and Conflict Escalation” By: Sung Hee Kim and Richard H. Smith The article begins with three examples of interpersonal conflicts that escalated by vengeful behavior. The authors attempt to focus on understanding actual mechanisms that underlie the pattern of conflict escalation. The authors explain, “justice is a deep concern for most people.” It is human nature to want to be treated fairly. However, when expectations are not met, a sense of injustice can lead to patterns of retaliation. Vengeful acts by the person who is “wronged” are most likely to be out of portion to the original offense. Thus, revenge often leads to a destructive cycle of spiteful counter-responses from parties involved in a conflict. The tendency to desire and seek “justice” can be seen as a key motivator when people take revenge. Ironically, the harsh cycle that develops when people seek revenge is characterized by irrational and wrongful acts. The authors suggest that when explaining such extreme acts of revenge one possible reason can come from feelings of self-worth. When another diminishes one’s self-worth, they may use methods of revenge to restore it. In relation to one’s self-worth, another contributing factor can be the prevention of future unfair treatment. In order to gain respect, a person may retaliate in order to stop unfair acts they have received. Despite the underlying reasons that motivate revenge, many examples demonstrate that vengeance leads to conflict escalation rather than conflict resoluton. The article attempts to answer the question, “Why is revenge likely to lead conflict to an escalatory path?” One factor of the cycle of vengeful exchanges grows from the victim’s perception of personal harm. People may have an exaggerated assessment of the severity of the harm. One’s perception of injustice can explain why conflicts that escalate are often out of proportion with the original conflict. In addition, the original victim may distort the consequences that come from revenge. The authors offer general suggestions for conflict management and resolution. The author suggests that one way to avoid escalatory acts is to focus on the actual issues involved. By focusing on the actual issues can prevent the tendency to target and degrade another through personal attacks. A second suggestion to prevent counter-responses is to apologize and thus restore a victim’s self-worth and feeling of injustice.