Normal forms of penalty, aim to discipline free riders and those who break the rules. But antisocial punishment penalizes those who contribute to the welfare of the group. This counterintuitive twist on justice, where heroes are treated like villains, targets the cooperative and altruistic, creating an environment where generosity and selflessness are discouraged.
the full story

Unlike normal forms of penalty, which aim to discipline free riders and those who break the rules, antisocial punishment penalizes those who contribute to the welfare of the group. This counterintuitive twist on justice, where heroes are treated like villains, targets the cooperative and altruistic, creating an environment where generosity and selflessness are discouraged. It often happens for five reasons.
when norms punish altruism

Social norms define the type of behavior that is accepted in society, and that which is not. Those who deviate too much from these norms, even if they are just trying to help, end up being disliked. This is because we tend to see those who conform as “safe” and those who don’t as potentially dangerous.
misjudging generosity

Misinterpretation of intentions can occur when we learn through experience that people who appear nice, often end up hurting us, for example through scams or betrayal. And so, as a response, we may distrust those who exhibit an unusual level of generosity.
status and sabotaging altruists

Then, there is the desire for status. If someone is virtuous and kind, they may indirectly aim to increase their status. In groups this tends to happen at the expense of others, especially those who seem to be more selfish. And so, antisocial punishment becomes a strategy to sabotage the altruists and advance oneself.
threatened by kindness

Then there is the threatened self-image. We tend to see ourselves in the best possible light, but when someone around us acts unusually generous, this self-image is threatened, and we may become resentful. For example, When people who eat meat discredit vegetarians it may stem from their perception of being judged, even without any interaction.
the burden of reciprocity

Lastly, we have an inherent need for reciprocity. Being on the receiving end of altruism can create feelings of shame and guilt that we then project onto those who were helpful. Which is why well-meaning therapists who offer their services free of charge may see their patients leave unhappy, while those who charge at least a token fee can build successful long-term relationships.
global insights

A study published in Science in 2008 observed antisocial punishment in 15 countries. Results showed that antisocial punishment is stronger in cultures where selfishness is encouraged, in places with high social inequality, and where governments exhibit higher levels of corruption.
the harm of punishing good behavior

Now even if it may be in our instinct to punish the altruists, the collective impact of the phenomenon can create a culture of mediocrity, suppress innovation, and ultimately harm the collective well-being.
what do you think?

What are your thoughts? Have you ever been a victim of your good deeds or felt the urge to punish someone who tries to be a better human being? Share your experience in the comments below.
Sources
- Pleasant, A., & Barclay, P. (2018). Why Hate the Good Guy? Antisocial Punishment of High Cooperators Is Greater When People Compete To Be Chosen. Psychological science, 29(6), 868–876.
- Herrmann, B., Thöni, C., & Gächter, S. (2008). Antisocial Punishment Across Societies. Science, 319(5868), 1362-1367.
- Irwin, K., & Horne, C. (2012). A Normative Explanation of Antisocial Punishment.Social Science Research, 42(2), 562-570.
Dig deeper!
- Learn about how meat eaters perceive vegetarians, and the do-gooder derogation
- Read about the reputation theory of antisocial punishmentç
- Learn about how antisocial punishment works in 1-on-1 interactions
- Read about the works of Elinor Ostrom on public governance
Classroom activity
Objective:
Students will critically examine the phenomenon of antisocial punishment by analyzing its psychological and social causes, exploring its implications for society, and reflecting on personal experiences or observations.
Materials Needed:
- Sprouts video on Antisocial Punishment.
- Case studies or anecdotes illustrating antisocial punishment in various contexts (e.g., workplaces, communities, or global settings).
- Whiteboard or large post-it notes for group brainstorming.
- Access to online resources or printed supplementary materials on antisocial punishment and related studies.
Duration:
60 minutes
Steps:
- Introduction and Video Viewing (10 minutes):
- Highlight its counterintuitive nature: punishing altruists rather than free riders.
- Provide a brief overview of its causes (social norms, misinterpretation, desire for status, threatened self-image, reciprocity).
- Show Sprouts video on Antisocial Punishment.
- After the video, ask students to jot down their initial thoughts or questions.
- Analysis of Causes and Impacts (15 minutes):
- Divide the class into five groups, assigning each group one of the five causes of antisocial punishment (as presented in the video).
- Provide each group with additional materials (scenarios, studies) related to their assigned cause.
- Groups discuss:
- Specific behaviors leading to antisocial punishment.
- Psychological and societal factors contributing to it.
- Impacts on individuals and groups.
- Groups prepare to share their findings with the class.
- Group Presentations and Connections (15 minutes):
- Each group presents:
- Key insights about their assigned cause of antisocial punishment.
- Connections to the broader phenomenon, using examples from the video.
- After each presentation, encourage classmates to ask questions or share related observations.
- Each group presents:
- Class Debate: The Societal Impact of Antisocial Punishment (15 minutes):
- Facilitate a structured debate using these guiding questions:
- How does antisocial punishment affect innovation and cooperation?
- What cultural or systemic factors exacerbate or mitigate this behavior?
- Can societal norms or policies reduce antisocial punishment?
- Encourage students to reference examples and evidence from the video, their group discussions, and personal experiences.
- Facilitate a structured debate using these guiding questions:
- Reflection and Sharing (5 minutes):
- Individually, students reflect on these prompts:
- Have they ever been punished or felt punished for altruism? Why?
- What strategies could reduce antisocial punishment in their own communities?
- Allow a few students to share their reflections with the class.
- Conclude by emphasizing the importance of understanding antisocial punishment to foster better cooperation and innovation.
- Individually, students reflect on these prompts:
Assessment:
Evaluate students based on their engagement during discussions, presentations, and debates.
- Assess their ability to connect the video content and supplementary materials to real-world examples.
- Encourage thoughtful, evidence-based participation.
By incorporating the video, this exercise uses multimedia to engage students and deepen their understanding of antisocial punishment in an interactive and reflective format.
Collaborators
- Script: Jonas Koblin and Ludovico Saint Amour di Chanaz, PhD
- Cartoon artist: Pascal Gaggelli
- Producer: Selina Bador
- Voice artist: Matt Abbott
- Coloring: Nalin
- Editing: Peera Lertsukittipongsa
- Sound Design: Miguel Ojeda
- Publishing: Vijyada Songrienchai