How long does this quiz take?

It takes about 1–2 minutes to complete.

Are my responses private?

Yes, all answers are anonymized and confidential.

Can I take this test more than once?

Yes, you can retake the test any time to see how your results may have changed.

Will this quiz tell me if I am a sadist?

This test does not diagnose sadism; it simply measures tendencies associated with everyday sadistic traits.

Can my results help me understand my behavior better?

Yes, your results may highlight patterns in how you relate to power, aggression, and emotional boundaries.

This test explores sadistic tendencies, a dark personality trait linked to enjoying dominance, cruelty, or others’ discomfort.

Sadism Scale

A closer look at one of the darker sides of human personality.

By Mark Travers, Ph.D. | Last Updated: January 13, 2026

Reviewed by Jourdan Travers, LCSW

Sadistic tendencies reflect the extent to which someone derives pleasure, amusement, or a sense of power from witnessing or causing physical or emotional discomfort in others. While extreme sadism is rare, milder forms can show up in everyday behaviors like enjoying others’ missteps, provocative online comments, or violent entertainment. This test is inspired by psychological research on dark personality traits and offers a reflective snapshot of where you may fall on this spectrum.

If you’re curious about how your results relate to other traits, you may also find the Schadenfreude Scale or the Narcissism Scale helpful for comparison.

Frequently Asked Questions

How long does this quiz take?: It takes about 1–2 minutes to complete.
Are my responses private?: Yes, all Sadism Scale answers are anonymized and confidential.
Can I take this test more than once?: Yes, you can retake the test any time to see how your Sadism Scale results may have changed.
Will this quiz tell me if I am a sadist?: This test does not diagnose sadism; it simply measures tendencies associated with everyday sadistic traits.
Can my results help me understand my behavior better?: Yes, your results may highlight patterns in how you relate to power, aggression, and emotional boundaries.

Sadistic Tendencies Test: Take The Quiz

Step 1: Rate Your Sadistic Tendencies

For each statement, indicate how much you agree on a scale of 1 (Strongly Disagree) to 5 (Strongly Agree). For best results, answer honestly and trust your first instinct.

1. I’m aware of how to emotionally wound someone using words alone.

2. Seeing other people get into physical confrontations can feel exciting to me.

3. I’m drawn to movies, shows, or games that focus heavily on violence or aggression.

4. I sometimes find humor in people embarrassing themselves or getting hurt in minor ways.

5. Watching intense or violent sports is especially entertaining for me.

6. There are times when I feel certain people deserve to experience suffering.

7. I’ve occasionally said intentionally hurtful things online just to provoke a reaction.

8. I find it satisfying to have power over someone’s emotional reactions, even when it causes them distress.

Step 2: Enter Your Demographics

Provide your age, gender, region, and first name for a detailed report comparing your results to others.

What is your age?

What is your gender?

What region of the world do you live in?

What is your first name?

Step 3: Submit Your Sadism Scale Answers

After completing all questions, click below to send your responses to Mark Travers, Ph.D. All answers are anonymized and confidential.

References

Paulhus, D. L., Buckels, E. E., Trapnell, P. D., & Jones, D. N. (2020). Screening for dark personalities. European Journal of Psychological Assessment.

Disclaimer

This scale is designed for educational purposes and is not a substitute for professional diagnosis or treatment.