Ben Franklin Effect

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

The Ben Franklin Effect is a psychological paradox: A person who has done someone a favor is more likely to do that person another favor than they would be if they had received a favor from that person. Similarly, one who harms another is more willing to harm them again than the victim is to retaliate.

For modern research on this phenomenon, see the foot-in-the-door technique.

In the words of Benjamin Franklin, who famously observed the paradox and for whom it is named, ""He that has once done you a kindness will be more ready to do you another than he whom you yourself have obliged."