'...men may be the more natural avengers.'

[kalibex]

"In the study, when male subjects witnessed people they perceived as bad guys being zapped by a mild electrical shock, their M.R.I. scans lit up in primitive brain areas associated with reward. Their brains' empathy centers remained dull.

"Women watching the punishment, in contrast, showed no response in centers associated with pleasure. Even though they also said they did not like the bad guys, their empathy centers still quietly glowed."

[SmokingJacket]

1. Ugh.

I can only speak for this woman, but it sounds right to me. I can't shut off my empathy, even if I try.

Witnessing people being punished nauseates me.

[MuseRider]

2. It will or would be very interesting

to interview the subjects before and after. My initial reaction as a female was to think, of course, this makes sense from what I know of most men and women. After thinking about it for a little while I wondered about the results. My husband and my two sons came to mind. I can't imagine knowing them like I do that they would not have shown quite a bit of empathy along with the pleasure. I have seen each of them brought to tears or at the very least uncomfortable feelings by cruelty. As for myself I think I would probably fit right in to the typical woman but there are times when I wonder. If it was Bush** and his merry gang I can't imagine that I would not have a tiny bit of pleasure from it. :shrug:

It will be interesting to see how they follow this up.

[Strong Atheist]

3. ... and in other news, water is wet. nt.