Sore Losers

Abstract

This research examined whether perceptions of defeat instigate a motivation to retaliate and displace aggression toward an adversary’s affiliates. In Study 1, 147 Israeli participants were primed with perceptions of victory, defeat, or assigned to a neutral condition and then rated their willingness to wage war against a weak foe or a strong foe. Perceptions of defeat increased support of military action against a weak foe but not against a strong foe compared with both the neutral and the victory conditions. Study 2 (N = 270) replicated the findings of Study 1 and showed that following defeat displaced aggression is greater toward a weak accomplice than toward both a strong accomplice and the original foe, and indicated that the effect of defeat on retaliation is mediated by increased in-group identification and commitment. Results suggest that attempts to deter opponents with military force may backfire and inadvertently fuel the cycle of violence.