Richard Solomon (psychologist)

Richard Solomon was a psychologist known for developing the "Opponent Process Theory," which explains how people and animals respond to repeated stimuli, particularly in the context of emotions and addiction. His theory suggests that emotional responses are paired with opposing processes that balance each other out over time. For example, the initial pleasure from a drug is followed by an opposite, withdrawal-related feeling. Solomon's work helped deepen understanding of addiction, motivation, and emotional regulation, emphasizing how our feelings tend to adapt and return to a baseline after intense experiences.