Lose some, win some

There's a psychological prinziple. People are trying harder to avoid losing something than gaining something. Which makes sense in an evolutionary perspective.

Imagine a monkey who has at the same time the opportunity to grab a banana and to run away from a tiger. If he grabs the banana he won't be happy about it for long. For he'll be a snack himself for the tiger. On the other hand if he flees he might live a little longer to enjoy another banana later.

From this point of view it's understandable that people try harder to avoid something negative than to gain something positive. I think everyone has experienced a situation where (s)he wanted to do something but was afraid of the consequences. And therefore didn't do it.

For example the question: "Should i go over to this girl and talk to her. She might become my girlfriend. On the other hand i might get humiliated."
Which man hasn't experienced this situation?
And how often did you chicken out?
See...?

Why am i writing this. Some days ago i offered a female friend of mine some sweets. I repeatedly told her to take some. She refused. I took it away saying "Ok, if you don't want them...". But then i offered them to her once more. Mainly to mock her. But this time she took it.

When it was first offered to her there was no emotion attached to the whole thing (except maybe about her weight). But as soon as i took it away there was this feeling of loss. Which she tried to compensate by taking the sweet.

So if you want to make someone want something give this person the feeling that (s)he lost it. Offer it again and it will be gladly taken.