This exploratory study investigated subjects' reactions to the suffering of another person, with subjects categorized on the basis of their own levels of previous physical punishment by their parents. Within the just world victim derogation paradigm, subjects observed a similar/dissimilar other receiving punishing shocks (as compared to a no-shock control). The results showed a significant interaction of earlier parental punishment with victim suffering, and there was a trend for a similar victim to be derogated more than the dissimilar victim. High punishment subjects derogated more than low punishment subjects for both variables. High punishment subjects' reactions indicated an increased sensitivity to suffering. The relevance of this study for just world and defensive attribution theories was discussed. (Author)