Abstract

The current chapter examines the history and empirical literature on sadism and sexual sadism and its association with psychopathy. Whether measured by self-report or rated from archival files, whether assessed as dimensional or as categorical, there are significant associations between psychopathy and sadism. Both conditions present an individual that enjoys violating others often with violence, and there is strong evidence that although not the same construct, psychopathy and sadism are inextricably linked.