Sadistic Tendencies Test – Explore Your Dark Personality Traits

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

By Mark Travers, Ph.D. | Last Updated: March 19, 2026

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.

Take The Sadism Scale

For each statement, indicate how much you 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.

Now, enter your demographics to see how you stack up against others.

First Name

Age

Gender

Region

References

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

Frequently Asked Questions

How long does this scale take?
It takes a few minutes to complete.

Are my responses private?
Yes, all responses 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.

Disclaimer

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

Sadistic Tendencies Test – Explore Your Dark Personality Traits

Take The Sadism Scale

Now, enter your demographics to see how you stack up against others.

References

Frequently Asked Questions

Disclaimer

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