From a starter's standpoint anyway, for physical sadism, a warped form of empathy is mine. I don't understand pain in the conventional sense, so seeing another in pain gives me a tickle similarly to light forms of pain inflicted on myself, except it feels more... indulgent, controlled, powerful. Even watching a character act out pain well in a movie, or just seeing some random stranger hurt themselves has me struggle not to let out some sort of response, be it a light moan of ecstasy or a laugh. Crow tends to do an elbow nudge when I look a little too happy about another's suffering as a subtle reminder that yes, we are in public, and people if I'm not careful will stare.
Struggle is also one of the prettiest displays a person can express. It's so... honest, so expressive, so real. It also stems from an appetite, an itch, it feels good to watch another person writhe. If the person's into it, it also makes their eyes express a needy vulnerability, a dilated, dreamy-eyed look of want that allows for further action. Even penetration triggers a similar interest, that look they give as entry begins, it's not that different from other forms of infliction. Defiance makes it better too, as then it feels like a challenge, progressing them towards their inner truth, their inner weakness, the side of them that lacks all those masks, all those barriers, and is truly the core of a human creature.
I had no abuse in my childhood personally, so I don't really fit your theory. It feels more like a matter of passion than proxying a past abuse.
For emotional sadism... I mean come on, it's great. What's not to like?
Sadism is natural and occurs to varying extents in every individual. It's fueled by the reward mechanisms in the brain. It most it typically comes with observing a competitor or enemy in pain or a bad situation. Schadenfreude is a good example of everyday sadism.
Sadism considered on the more deviant spectrum is often the result of empathy and masochistic tendencies. Pain feels good to the observer and so seeing another in pain empathetically triggers a pleasurable feeling.
Others get an adrenaline rush, potentially resulting in a feeling of power. This can fall in to the everyday sadism category but also might be considered pathological at higher levels.
I believe it is a control thing (sub/dom) thing, and also like cricket said, adrenaline. Also sometimes its just because I'm bored.
If I pull your hair it means I don't value you very much and had the idea to hurt you and enjoyed it. It's mostly about control. But also taking your anger out on someone is nice.
If I dig my nails into you so hard you bleed, it means you've hurt me and I hate you and am hiding it. If I do it gently it means I can't help myself and feel passionate about our relationship at the moment.
There is a certain honesty in sadism, and if anything it's because you can't resist that honesty in such an intimate setting. But I don't enjoy masochism.
Very true. From my experience, it's easy to condition someone to embrace sadism, while conditioning someone to embrace masochism is... highly unlikely.
A lot of it seems to kick in once they are properly reassured that there aren't going to be any repercussions. A lot of people on some level love being able to get away with hitting someone. Pair that with sex and... the wires are pretty easy to cross in a nurturing way.
It's been funny to see how a person is once they're comfortable with violence. The tendencies can slip out when hanging out with people who aren't as ready to be struck, leading to some rather humorous reactions. My masochism has been wonderfully fun for the sake of seeing how it can affect others.