Definition of sadism

The term "sadism" originated from the Marquis de Sade, a notorious French aristocrat and writer of the 18th century. Sade's works, which often featured graphic descriptions of sexually sadistic acts, caused a significant uproar during his time due to their explicit content. The word "sadism," coined by the French psychologist and pioneer of psychiatry, Richard von Krafft-Ebing, in the late 19th century, refers to erotic arousal from causing pain or suffering to others. This concept was largely informed by Sade's writings, which depicted individuals deriving pleasure from inflicting pain on others. Von Krafft-Ebing proposed the idea of "sadistic personality disorder," a psychological disorder associated with traits of cruelty, aggression, and a fondness for inflicting pain on others, which has been further elaborated upon by subsequent psychologists. While Sade wasn't the first person to engage in sexually sadistic acts, his notoriety and the resulting negative connotation associated with the word "sadism" have made it undesirable for people to identify as such. However, understanding the origin and meaning of the term can help in recognizing and identifying the disorder and providing effective interventions for individuals with sadistic personality disorder.