Two of the strangest but most powerful concepts in psychology are sadism and masochism. Why do we seem to delight in inflicting suffering or, even more strangely, to take satisfaction in enduring it?

Enjoying our Youtube videos? Get full access to all our audio content, videos, and thousands of thought-provoking articles, conversation cards and more with The School of Life Subscription: https://t.ly/VSV_4

Be more mindful, present and inspired. Get the best of The School of Life delivered straight to your inbox: https://t.ly/tWeS_

FURTHER READING

You can read more on this and other subjects here: https://9qq0.short.gy/x3epE8

“Two of the strangest but most powerful aspects of our psychology are drives we refer to respectively as sadism and masochism. By sadism is understood an enjoyment in causing others suffering. And by masochism, an enjoyment in receiving ill-treatment from others. Though commonly associated with sexual scenarios, these drives operate in all areas of life: at the office or in the school yard as much as in the bedroom or the dungeon. Unfortunately, much of what humans do is in the end explicable only with recourse to these two melancholy concepts…”

MORE SCHOOL OF LIFE

Watch more films on SELF in our playlist:
http://bit.ly/TSOLself

SOCIAL MEDIA

Feel free to follow us at the links below:

Facebook:   / theschooloflifelondon  

X:   / theschooloflife  

Instagram:   / theschooloflifelondon  

LinkedIn:   / the-school-of-life-for-business  

CREDITS

Produced in collaboration with:

Nicky Francis
https://www.nicolajanefrancis.com/

Title animation produced in collaboration with

Graeme Probert
www.gpmotion.co.uk