Clarifying Sadomasochism In The Realm Of Sadistic Nomenclature
- ASU Author/Contributor (non-ASU co-authors, if there are any, appear on document)
- Kelsey Brook Charbeneau (Creator)
- Institution
- Appalachian State University (ASU )
- Web Site: https://library.appstate.edu/
- Advisor
- Christopher Holden
Abstract: Although recent findings suggest sadism as a facet of antisocial personality associated with malevolent behaviors, sadism in the context of sadomasochism as a sexual practice proposes an ostensible discrepancy. Trait sadism is broadly defined as the tendency to experience pleasure through the infliction of suffering. However, the consensual nature of a sadomasochistic power exchange implies an element of enjoyment on behalf of the recipient, which suggests a critical distinction from the concept of cruelty that is traditionally associated with sadism. Considering that sadism is typically seen as an aversive trait, distinguishing sadomasochistic variants of sadism from trait sadism would establish a critical disintegration of the BDSM subculture from the stigma of sadistic connotations, as well as guide clinical practice in developing awareness with regard to counseling sadomasochistic practitioners. To explore this, we investigated whether BDSM sadism was significantly different from trait sadism or forensic sadism. We found that scores for each of the measures did not differ significantly between sadomasochistic sadists and non-sadomasochists, although there were significant but small differences between sadomasochistic sadists and non-sadomasochists on only vicarious forms of everyday sadism. Moreover, we found a moderately strong, significant correlation between forensic and everyday forms of sadism. These findings suggest sadistic sexual offense to be closely related to, although separate from, sadistic personality, with sadism in the context of BDSM appearing to be a construct distinct from either of these entities.
Clarifying Sadomasochism In The Realm Of Sadistic Nomenclature
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Created on 6/22/2021
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Additional Information
- Publication
- Honors Project
- Charbeneau, K. (2021). Clarifying Sadomasochism In The Realm Of Sadistic Nomenclature. Unpublished Honors Thesis. Appalachian State University, Boone, NC.
- Language: English
- Date: 2021
- Keywords
- sadism, BDSM, dark tetrad, sexual sadism, sadomasochism, S&M, s/m