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This self-assessment Comprehensive Assessment of Sadistic Tendencies (CAST) , was originally developed by Buckels E. E. and D. L. Paulhus. . TraitProfiler provides an interactive digital version for educational, informational, and self-exploration purposes only.

Comprehensive Assessment of Sadistic Tendencies (CAST)

Background

The Comprehensive Assessment of Sadistic Tendencies (CAST) is a psychological self-report questionnaire designed to measure everyday sadistic personality traits in non-clinical populations.

The assessment explores attitudes, behaviors, and emotional reactions related to cruelty, aggression, domination, humiliation, enjoyment of violence, and emotional insensitivity. It examines how individuals may derive pleasure, excitement, or satisfaction from causing physical, emotional, or psychological discomfort to others.

The CAST focuses on multiple forms of sadistic tendencies, including direct verbal cruelty, physical aggression, dominance through fear, enjoyment of violent entertainment, and emotional coldness. These traits can appear in both subtle and overt ways in everyday social behavior.

This assessment is commonly used in personality research, dark personality studies, and behavioral psychology to better understand socially aversive personality characteristics.

The CAST is not intended to diagnose personality disorders, criminal behavior, or psychiatric conditions. High scores indicate stronger endorsement of sadistic attitudes or tendencies but should always be interpreted carefully within broader personality and social contexts.

Procedure

You will be presented with a series of statements related to thoughts, behaviors, social attitudes, and reactions toward others.

Dimensions:
Verbal Cruelty
Physical Aggression
Violence Enjoyment
Dominance & Control
Emotional Coldness

Please rate how strongly you agree or disagree with each statement based on your genuine experiences and attitudes.

Use the following response scale:

1 = Strongly disagree
2 = Disagree
3 = Neither agree nor disagree
4 = Agree
5 = Strongly agree

There are no right or wrong answers. Respond honestly and select the option that best reflects your natural reactions and personality style.

Participation

This assessment is intended for adults and older adolescents capable of self-reflection and honest self-reporting.

Participation is voluntary. Responses are anonymous and intended only for educational, self-exploration, and research-awareness purposes.

Higher scores may reflect stronger tendencies toward cruelty, domination, emotional hardness, aggressive enjoyment, or fascination with suffering and violence.

Comprehensive Assessment of Sadistic Tendencies (CAST) Questionnaire

Instructions & Terms

Below is the Comprehensive Assessment of Sadistic Tendencies (CAST), a digitally adapted 24- items self-assessment questionnaire. This assessment does not provide a clinical diagnosis, medical determination, or substitute for professional psychological evaluation.

Question 1 of 24

I was purposely mean to some people in high school.


Question 2 of 24

I enjoy making jokes at the expense of others.


Question 3 of 24

I have purposely tricked someone and laughed when they looked foolish.


Question 4 of 24

When making fun of someone, it is especially amusing if they realize what I'm doing.


Question 5 of 24

Perhaps I shouldn't have, but I never got tired of mocking certain classmates.


Question 6 of 24

I would never purposely humiliate someone.


Question 7 of 24

I enjoy physically hurting people.


Question 8 of 24

I enjoy tormenting people.


Question 9 of 24

I have the right to push certain people around.


Question 10 of 24

I have dominated others using fear.


Question 11 of 24

I enjoy hurting my partner during sex (or pretending to).


Question 12 of 24

In video games, I like the realistic blood spurts.


Question 13 of 24

I love to watch YouTube clips of people fighting.


Question 14 of 24

I enjoy watching cage fighting (or MMA), where there is no escape.


Question 15 of 24

I sometimes replay my favorite scenes from gory slasher films.


Question 16 of 24

There's way too much violence in sports.


Question 17 of 24

I enjoy playing the villain in games and torturing other characters.


Question 18 of 24

In professional car-racing, it's the accidents that I enjoy most.


Question 19 of 24

By staying strong, one can better help others.


Question 20 of 24

I'm considered to be a kind person.


Question 21 of 24

I'd do anything, even break the law, for those I love.


Question 22 of 24

I have ambitions to make the world a better place.


Question 23 of 24

I am a religious person.


Question 24 of 24

I have had some really good friends.




Psychometric Norms

4
Participants
66%
Community Mean
5.4%
Sample SD
75%
Highest Observed Score
60%
Lowest Observed Score
2026–2026
Collection Period

Current normative data for theCurrent normative data for the Comprehensive Assessment of Sadistic Tendencies (CAST) are derived from 4 anonymous participant responses collected through TraitProfiler between 2026 and 2026. All response data are collected anonymously and are intended exclusively for educational, psychometric, and non-commercial research purposes.

Sources
  1. Buckels E. E. and D. L. Paulhus. , University of British Columbia, Vancouver, Canada (2014): 20-27.. "Comprehensive assessment of sadistic tendencies (CAST).". Unpublished instrument