Deenz Sadism Tendency Assessment Scale (DTAS-24)

Sadism test is the interactive version of Sadism Tendency Assessment Scale (DTAS-24).

Sadism refers to the tendency to feel pleasure, gratification, or enjoyment from other’s pain, suffering, or humiliation. Individuals with sadistic traits have a deliberate or intentional urge to cause harm to others, they may show cruelty to animals and use manipulation to make others suffer, especially deriving pleasure from sexual harassment. The term sadism has been derived from the erotic writing of 18th-century French writer Marquis de Sade.

In the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders DSM-5 sadism is considered to be part of broad umbrella term paraphilic disorder.

Sadism traits are related to various personality disorders such as psychopathy and narcissistic personality disorder. Sadism is considered to be dimensional and the traits associated with it can be measured with a separate assessment tool.

Deenz Sadism Tendency Assessment Scale (DTAS-24) is a reliable measure of sadism traits. By accessing the internal consistency Cronbach’s Alpha of 0.87 was recorded, indicating a strong reliability. Implementing the factor analysis, revealed a strong relationship between statements in the scale and the traits associated with sadism.

To ensure overall coherence, items were organized into a structure with both negative and positive valence. Positive items were directly related to the sadism traits and Negative items were related to the empathy traits.

This computerized version of scale (Sadism Test) is not designed to provide a professional advice or definite diagnosis of paraphilic disorder.

The assessment consists of 24 statements and typically takes 3–5 minutes to complete. Participants respond to statements describing attitudes, behaviors, interpersonal tendencies, and personality characteristics associated with sadistic traits.

This assessment is intended for adults and older adolescents interested in understanding personality characteristics associated with sadistic tendencies. Participation in this online sadistic personality spectrum test is completely anonymous. No personally identifying information is collected or stored.

The scoring of this self-test is very simple, there are 24 items scored on a five-point response scale. Item responses are calculated to produce a raw total score ranging from 0 to 96, with higher scores indicating greater levels of sadistic personality-related traits.

Results include an Overall Index Score and scores for four dimensions: Aggression, Manipulation, Cruelty, and Sadism.

Dimension scores are standardized to a 0–100 scale and interpreted using qualitative categories.

Overall results are classified into five interpretive ranges:

• Minimal (0–20)
• Mild (21–40)
• Moderate (41–60)
• High (61–80)
• Very High (81–100)

I may enjoy intimidating others.

I can feel a need to put people in their place.

I sometimes enjoy having power over others.

I try to make people feel valued.

I prefer treating people as equals.

I usually avoid dominating others.

I may use people to get what I want.

I can hide my intentions when it benefits me.

I sometimes influence others for personal gain.

I try to be genuine with others.

I usually say what I truly mean.

I prefer honesty over personal advantage.

Others' suffering may not affect me much.

I can be insensitive to other people's pain.

I may feel little guilt after hurting someone.

I try to comfort people who are upset.

I often feel compassion for struggling people.

Seeing someone suffer can affect me deeply.

I may enjoy seeing people embarrassed.

Others' frustration can be amusing to me.

I sometimes provoke people for amusement.

I feel bad when someone is humiliated.

I dislike seeing others distressed.

I try to protect people from ridicule.