sadism

sadism
sadist, n., adj.sadistic /seuh dis"tik, say-, sa-/, adj.sadistically, adv.
/say"diz euhm, sad"iz-/, n.
1. Psychiatry. sexual gratification gained through causing pain or degradation to others. Cf. masochism.
2. any enjoyment in being cruel.
3. extreme cruelty.
[1885-90; < F sadisme; see SADE, -ISM]

* * *

Psychosexual disorder in which sexual urges are gratified by inflicting pain on another person.

The term was coined in reference to the marquis de Sade, who chronicled his own such practices. Sadism is often linked to masochism, and many individuals who have one tendency also have the other.

* * *

▪ psychosexual disorder
      psychosexual disorder in which sexual urges are gratified by the infliction of pain on another person. The term was coined by the late 19th-century German psychologist Richard von Krafft-Ebing (Krafft-Ebing, Richard, Freiherr von) in reference to the Marquis de Sade (Sade, Marquis de), an 18th-century French nobleman who chronicled his own such practices. Sadism is often linked to masochism (q.v.), in which sexual arousal results from receiving pain, and many individuals respond in either role. The sadist, however, often seeks a victim who is not a masochist, as some of the sexual excitement derives from the victim's unwillingness. The level and extent of sadistic violence may vary considerably, from infliction of mild pain in otherwise harmless love play to extreme brutality, sometimes leading to serious injury or death. The satisfaction of the sadist may result not from inflicting actual physical pain but rather from the mental suffering of the victim. Sexual urges may limit the level of violence, but in some cases the aggressive impulse becomes predominant and the sadist progresses to more extreme expressions of his violent tendencies. Sadism may be a factor in some violent crimes (crime), particularly rape and murder.

      The term sadism is occasionally used outside the sexual context, to describe individuals who are purposely cruel or who seem to derive pleasure from humiliating and dominating others in social situations. In this context, some milder forms of sadism are relatively more acceptable, such as the use of humiliating sarcasm as a conversational tool.

* * *


Universalium. 2010.

Игры ⚽ Поможем написать курсовую

Look at other dictionaries:

  • sadism — SADÍSM s.n. Tendinţă anormală spre cruzime, plăcere bolnăvicioasă de a vedea pe cineva suferind sau de a pricinui suferinţe: cruzime extremă. ♦ spec. Perversiune sexuală manifestată prin plăcerea de a provoca partenerului suferinţe fizice. – Din… …   Dicționar Român

  • Sadism — is the derivation of pleasure as a result of inflicting pain, or watching pain inflicted, on others. Aspects of it include:*Sadomasochism *Sadism and masochism as medical terms *Sadistic personality disorder;See also *Marquis de Sade, an… …   Wikipedia

  • sadism — (n.) love of cruelty, 1888, from Fr. sadisme, from Count Donatien A.F. de Sade (1740 1815). Not a marquis, though usually now called one, he was notorious for cruel sexual practices he described in his novels …   Etymology dictionary

  • sadism — ► NOUN ▪ the tendency to derive sexual gratification or general pleasure from inflicting pain, suffering, or humiliation on others. DERIVATIVES sadist noun sadistic adjective sadistically adverb. ORIGIN French sadisme, from the name of the French …   English terms dictionary

  • sadism — [sā′diz΄əm, sad′iz΄əm] n. [Fr, after SADE Marquis de] 1. the getting of sexual pleasure from dominating, mistreating, or hurting one s partner 2. the getting of pleasure from inflicting physical or psychological pain on another or others: Cf.… …   English World dictionary

  • Sadism —    Just as with its mirror image masochism, sadism has come to have three meanings: (1) the voluntary infliction of suffering; (2) in psychoanalysis, a compulsive kind of personality characterized by regression to the anal sadistic phase of… …   Historical dictionary of Psychiatry

  • sadism — n. to display sadism * * * to display sadism …   Combinatory dictionary

  • Sadism —    A sadist has come to be thought of as one who delights in cruelty. In psychology, however, sadism is the association of sexual gratification with the infliction of pain on others. The word was derived from the name of Count Donatien Alphonse… …   Dictionary of eponyms

  • sadism — [[t]se͟ɪdɪzəm[/t]] N UNCOUNT Sadism is a type of behaviour in which a person obtains pleasure from hurting other people and making them suffer physically or mentally. Psychoanalysts tend to regard both sadism and masochism as arising from… …   English dictionary

  • sadism — A form of perversion, often sexual in nature, in which a person finds pleasure in inflicting abuse and maltreatment. Cf.:masochism. [Marquis de Sade, 1740–1814, confessedly addicted to the practice] * * * sa·dism sā .diz əm, sad .iz n a sexual… …   Medical dictionary

Share the article and excerpts

Direct link
Do a right-click on the link above
and select “Copy Link”