Theory introduction:

Conservation of resources: People strive to gain, retain, protect, and build the things they value.

These “resources” can be your time, mood, energy, skills, money, or even your sense of control.

Principles:

1. Primacy of Loss Principle

📉It’s easier to lose resources than to gain them.

2. Resource Investment Principle

💡You have to spend resources to protect or grow them.

3. Gain Paradox Principle

🌱When you’ve lost a lot, even small gains matter more.

4. Desperation Principle

⚠️When people are depleted, they may act defensively or even aggressively toprotect what little they have left.