Sadism most strongly correlates with psychopathy, followed by Machiavellianism and narcissism. 

Boston University

Everyday sadism, also known as nonsexual, subclinical sadism, reflects cruelty in everyday life. People of this category experience pleasure from others' physical or psychological pain as they go about daily life. For example, these people might like watching violent movies, seeing a fight outside of a bar, or watching someone mess up a presentation at work. Beyond this, everyday sadists also enjoy doing things to elicit suffering, such as emotional manipulation.

Everyday Sadism

Bonfá-Araujo, B., Lima-Costa, A. R., Hauck-Filho, N., & Jonason, P. K. (2022). Considering sadism in the shadow of the Dark Triad traits: A meta-analytic review of the Dark Tetrad. Personality and Individual Differences, 197, 1–12. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.paid.2022.111767

Considering sadism in the shadow of the Dark Triad traits: A meta-analytic review of the Dark Tetrad

Sadism in Relation to the Dark Tetrad

Sadistic individuals are drawn to violent more than nonviolent or neutral video games, more aggressive/offensive type-hero in games, and being more fascinated with weapons than others. Video games can be a source of virtual satisfaction for people motivated with cruel needs. However, sadistic individuals might find a way to express and strengthen their sadistic needs by causing virtual harm to others and being aggressive. 

Sadism and Video Games

- One possibility is that sadists judge the consequences of cruelty differently than do others
- Judgments about others’ suffering are subject to motivated reasoning in that suffering is often minimized

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