Episode
106. Cruelty by Nature: An Interview with Dr. Peter Salerno
- Published
- Nov 11, 2025
- Duration seconds
- 2288
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Summary
We're back with Dr. Peter Salerno this week talking about his new book " Cruelty By Nature: The Science of Intentional Abuse ." If you've been at the receiving end of abuse and were confused why unconditional love wasn't working, this episode is for you. Do some people enjoy being cruel? Is unkindess its own reward? Salerno discusses the research around personality disorders and sadism and takes on therapists who endangers victims when they counsel victims to meet harmful acts with forgiveness and greater understanding. Conventional therapy argues that antisocial behavior comes from a person acting out trauma and masking shame. This view, Salerno argues, ignores behavioral science. Some people behave unethically because their brutish methods work for them. Worse, some disordered people actually derive pleasure from hurting others.