A recent study, published by the journal of Biological Psychology, shows that youths which are extremely aggressive actually enjoy pain and suffering. The scientists used fMRI scans to compare the activity in eight extremely aggressive boys and the activity in eight normal boys. The participants in the experiment were between the ages 16 and 18 and, according to the results, the aggressive boys showed activity in the pleasure side of the brain when watching cruel images or violence. The other boys only showed brain activity in the pain center of the brain.

Scientists concluded that in youths with conduct disorder there is no link between negative emotions and the sight of someone being beaten up or suffering. Scientists believe that the link between the amygdala and the prefrontal cortex is not linked correctly in those with conduct disorder. The aggressive boys showed activity in the amygdala and the ventral striatum, which is responsible for the sensation of rewards and pleasure. This proves that these kids actually enjoy the sight of violence and that there is a strong pathological factor to it.

Scientists concluded that also due to lack of activity in the prefrontal cortex, youths with conduct disorder can’t actually control these emotions. Drawing pleasure from seeing someone beaten up is the normal reaction to them as to others the same image with certainly inflict some pretty negative emotions.