Psychoanalysis of Sadism

Sadism and the human psychology is heavily
linked to animal abuse.

For years, psychologist have searched for the underlying motives for those who abuse animals. Concerns have risen that "In addition to growing sensitivity to the rights of animals, another significant reason for the increased attention to animal cruelty is a mounting body of evidence about the link between acts and serious crimes of more narrowly human concern child abuse, rape, and homicide" (497). Research has shown that these acts are conducive to sadist behavior. Sadism, is the "Enthusiasm for inflicting pain, suffering or humiliation on others; spec. a psychological disorder characterized by sexual fantasies, urges, or behavior involving the subject of another person to pain, humiliation, bondage, etc." (485). There is growing empirical evidence for the connection between animal abuse and sadist violence. In Hogarth's The Four Stages of Cruelty boy's who are portrayed innocent are, "Conspicuous in the center of the plate, he is shown being assisted by other boys to insert an arrow into a dog's rectum"(492). As grotesque as these scenes are, they reveal the disturbing tendencies of the human psychology. Those who study psychopathy conclude that sadism is strongly suggestive that the sadist carries the desire to control and dominate their objects. During the process, the emotional detachment from people or animals allows them to dehumanize the subjects.  This form of aggressive behavior has taken a sharp affect on animals in all industries and aspects. Unfortunately, man's attempt for dominance has resulted in thousands of animals to be tortured, killed, and slaughtered. Not only do I empathize for the innocent lives lost but also for the those who experience such disturbing feelings.

The story of Tom Nero reveals the
motives behind sadist and animal torturers.