If you’re a sadist, you love revenge

People who enjoy seeing others in pain are more likely to embrace vengeance against those who’ve harmed them.  They’re sadists.  And, the level to which they’re sadistic predicts the lengths they will go to to satisfy their need to exact revenge.  They’re particularly skilled at identifying the revenge that will inflict the most pain, be it stealing a beloved item, posting sexual content or hurting a loved one.  Revenge may erupt into a school shooting, a firebombed home or a car set ablaze.  Violence and aggression are the most common forms of revenge.  Murderers and terrorists report that they committed crimes out of retribution, and we’ve seen the kind of damage they can wreak on a society.  Understanding revenge is critical to nipping violence in the bud.  It’s time to take measures to identify those people who display sadistic tendencies.