I'm nearly certain the forum software doesn't care what kind of reaction it is, it probably makes no differentiation, between laughs, thumbs ups, and thumbs down, etc. I think it sees them all them same, as far as comparing them against number of posts, so, yeah, I do believe you are correct. A negative reaction, a funny, a sad, and like, all the same in the final analysis.
So, hypothetically, someone could, come on here, and tick everyone off, and still get trophies, but I think it would be hard to do. In my experience, it is far easier to entertain and make folks laugh. People want to be happy and laugh, more than be irritated.
Though, I really do think some folks come here, purposely come seeking conflict.