What is sadism?
“What is sadism?” was written for BDSMforyou.nl by Mistress Moriah.
One of the letters in the acronym BDSM is linked to the word “sadism.” But what does this actually mean? What makes someone a sadist? And how does this relate to BDSM? Sadism is a topic that is often misunderstood, surrounded by myths and misconceptions.
What is sadism?
Psychiatrist Richard von Krafft-Ebing introduced several psychiatric and sexological terms that are still in use today, such as “sadism,” named after the French writer Marquis de Sade, whose works were notorious for their graphic descriptions of sexual cruelty. And masochism, named after his contemporary, the novelist Leopold von Sacher-Masoch, whose partially autobiographical novella *Venus in Furs* tells the story of a protagonist who fantasizes about submission to a beautiful woman.
Sadism, simply put, is finding pleasure or satisfaction in causing pain or suffering to others. However, in psychology, sadism has taken on a broader meaning and encompasses not only sexual pleasures but also non-sexual forms of pleasure derived from the suffering of others.
The Psychology Behind Sadism
Psychologically speaking, sadism is complex and can range from mild schadenfreude – pleasure in the misfortunes of others – to more severe acts that cause physical or emotional pain. Experts believe that sadism can stem from various sources, such as powerlessness in childhood, traumatic experiences, or even biological factors. The key point is that not everyone who derives pleasure from the pain of others can be labeled a “sadist” in the clinical sense of the word.
Everyday sadism
In everyday life, sadism often manifests itself in much more subtle forms than most people would expect. Consider the pleasure some people derive from watching reality TV shows in which participants fail or are humiliated. Or the sharp, cutting remarks sometimes exchanged on social media under the guise of ‘humor’. These everyday examples of sadism point to a deeper human tendency to feel better at the expense of others.
It is important to understand that sadism is a spectrum. At one end, we find the minor, almost innocent forms of schadenfreude, and at the other end, the extreme – perhaps even criminal – acts. Most people will fall somewhere in the middle of this spectrum, where occasional schadenfreude is not an indication of a deep-seated psychological problem.
Sadism and Masochism
In BDSM, the letters SM stand for Sadism and Masochism. They are often mentioned in the same breath, as if they were inextricably linked. On the surface, one might think so, because the masochist needs the experience of pain that the sadist can provide. But if the masochist enjoys this pain, does the sadist still derive pleasure from it? There is thus a clear discrepancy in this combination. Speaking from my own sadism, I can say that I sometimes love playing with a masochist (because it’s nice to be able to go all out for once), but… I much prefer to see someone writhing in front of me and reacting to the pain stimuli with “OW!!!”, screaming, cursing, or trying to dodge the blows.
Because with that last sub, who clearly has little tolerance for pain, I see him suffering right in front of me. And that’s the most beautiful sight a sadist can have. But I’m speaking for myself here. Maybe you feel completely differently about this, and that’s fine too.
More information
What is BDSM?
The History of BDSM
BDSM – Theme page
Source
Text: Mistress Moriah
Photography: 123rf.com
