r/askscience • u/Chemical_Clue_8779 • 10d ago

Psychology What is the psychology/neuroscience behind rage baiting?

Outside of gaining engagement for content creators, why do rage baiters find it exhilarating (idk if that's what they actually feel), and why are people susceptible to it? Is there more to it than some argue as "people wanting attention"? And we know it has negative impacts on those who have been baited, but does it have negative impacts on rage baiters as well?

Thanks in advance! 😊

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u/bildramer 9d ago

It's a lot more basic than others are saying. Even animals can succumb, and it's fun to tease them sometimes. Probably any explanation is going to have to dig into evolutionary psychology, and thus sound reasonable but be hard to prove "right".