I seem to remember so often reading about...

... the cruelest murderers, as well as people who have tortured others, and how these people so often were physically treated incredibly cruelly themselves as young children. It also seems a fairly common "American" thing... And, pardon me for saying it, Baptist and other related Christian upbringings also seem to figure prominently in the reports. But, perhaps I only have a selective memory. If the religious element is true, this could explain why nothing but anecdotal evidence exists - true inquiries would be "taboo". Any thoughts on this? Pain and pleasure may be closely associated ("Oh! It hurts so good!") but still, I think it is pathological when pain becomes closely associated with sexual pleasure. Just my opinion, of course. Cheers, m.