21 September Today's term from psychology is the Robspierre Effect.

21 September

Today's term from psychology is the Robspierre Effect.

The Robespierre Effect is named after Maximilian Robespierre, the architect of the French Revolution’s Reign of Terror.

Often when a revolution succeeds there's a period of turmoil when there's no law, and the people in power rule by whim. So it was with Robespierre. As the leading member of the Committee of Public Safety, Robespierre had encouraged the execution, mostly by guillotine, of more than 17,000 "enemies of the Revolution".

During his exercise of power, Robespierre made an increasing number of enemies, due, in part, to his capricious exercise of power. So it should come as no surprise that he, himself was eventually overthrown and arrested by the National Convention. The day after his arrest, Robespierre and 21 of his followers were guillotined before a cheering mob in the Place de la Revolution in Paris.

Hence the Robespierre Effect. Which is defined as the process that happens when someone demands action be taken against a specific person or group, and that action is subsequently used against the very same person who initially demanded it be taken in the first place. This behavior amount to "I don't care if it hurts me as long as it hurts you", and demonstrates an advanced degree of hatred.

I suppose this is not the best way to have your name immortalized. But there you are.