When Cruelty Feels Good: The Power of the Dark Tetrad

Why do some people hurt others—and enjoy it? These 4 traits may provide clues.

Posted September 11, 2025 | Reviewed by Gary Drevitch

Between 2000 and 2021, the top five most mentioned keyword-topics in personality psychology research were “B5 Constructs,” “ Emotion ,” “Internalizing,” “Health/Well-being,” and “ Dark Tetrad .” Psychologists, it seems, are no longer just mapping out the traits that help us thrive, but also probing the darker impulses that can unravel relationships, communities, and even societies.

You may be familiar with the “ Dark Triad ,” a cluster of three socially aversive traits: narcissism , Machiavellianism , and psychopathy . The Dark Tetrad adds a fourth, equally unsettling dimension: sadism . This addition makes the model even more powerful in explaining behaviors that seem cruel, exploitative, or simply puzzling.

What is the Dark Tetrad?

The Dark Tetrad describes four interrelated but distinct traits:

While the first three traits focus on selfishness and exploitation , sadism introduces something darker: an active enjoyment of others’ suffering. This is what makes the tetrad stand apart from the triad.

Adding sadism changes the game. A narcissist may ignore your feelings, a Machiavellian may manipulate you, and a psychopath may break rules without remorse. But a sadist ? They may actually enjoy the harm they cause. Recent research emphasizes this distinction. Sadism predicts behaviors that the other three traits can’t fully explain—like enjoying online trolling, relishing cruelty in entertainment, or finding satisfaction in making life harder for others.

This makes sadism not just an academic addition, but a vital piece in understanding why some people seem to delight in cruelty. Unlike the other traits, which are often self-serving, sadism can be other-focused —meaning the motivation is less about personal gain and more about the pleasure of watching others suffer. In that sense, sadism reveals a uniquely destructive form of human behavior, one that’s harder to rationalize and more difficult to guard against. It’s not simply about indifference to harm; it’s about turning harm into entertainment.

A clear example can be found in online trolling, in which individuals intentionally provoke, insult, or harass strangers not for profit or status but for amusement. The satisfaction comes from watching others become upset, a textbook case of sadism in everyday life. From toxic comment sections to workplace bullies who thrive on humiliation , sadism shows up in ways that are disturbingly ordinary.

Everyday Life and the Dark Tetrad

You don’t need to be a psychologist to spot Dark Tetrad traits in action. They can show up in:

Not everyone with these traits is dangerous, of course. Many exist on a spectrum. But being able to recognize them can protect us from unhealthy relationships and exploitative dynamics.

The Double-Edged Sword of Dark Traits

Interestingly, researchers note that some aspects of these traits can be adaptive in certain contexts. A bit of Machiavellian strategy can help in negotiations, and controlled narcissism might boost confidence in leadership . Still, left unchecked, these traits tilt toward exploitation and harm. Consider narcissism: In moderation, it can translate into charisma , ambition, and a strong presence—qualities often admired in leaders, athletes, or performers. But in excess, it becomes arrogance, entitlement, and an inability to handle criticism.

Similarly, Machiavellianism can be useful in environments where strategic planning and careful calculation are essential, such as politics or high-stakes business. Yet when taken too far, it erodes trust, creating toxic workplaces and fractured relationships.

Even psychopathy, often viewed as the most destructive of the group, has shades of usefulness. A person with low anxiety and fearlessness—traits tied to psychopathy—might excel in crisis situations where others freeze. But the same lack of empathy that allows calm under pressure can also lead to reckless, antisocial behavior.

Sadism, however, is the outlier, as it’s far harder to find a “bright side” to enjoying another’s suffering. At best, it might explain why people flock to violent movies, horror games, or true- crime stories—forms of entertainment in which simulated cruelty can feel thrilling without real-world consequences. At worst, it manifests in bullying , harassment, and abuse, when the enjoyment of pain causes genuine harm.

This dual nature of the Dark Tetrad traits reminds us that human personality is rarely all good or all bad. Traits that can serve us in one situation may damage us—or others—in another. The challenge lies in recognizing where these tendencies cross the line from adaptive to destructive.

The Dark Tetrad reminds us that human personality isn’t all kindness and cooperation . By including sadism alongside narcissism, Machiavellianism, and psychopathy, psychology gives us a sharper lens to see why some people not only exploit others but take pleasure in it . Recognizing these tendencies can help us guard against harm while deepening our understanding of the full range of human behavior.

Gómez-Leal, R., Fernández-Berrocal, P., Gutiérrez-Cobo, M.J. et al. The Dark Tetrad: analysis of profiles and relationship with the Big Five personality factors. Sci Rep 14, 4443 (2024). https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-024-55074-w

Rauthmann J.F., Kuper N. (2025) The landscape of personality psychology in the new millennium: A systematic keyword analysis of journal articles from 2000 to 2021. J Pers Soc Psychol. 2025 Mar;128(3) :722-763. https://psycnet.apa.org/fulltext/2025-96525-002.html

Paulhus, D. L., & Williams, K. M. (2002). The Dark Triad of personality: Narcissism, Machiavellianism, and psychopathy. Journal of Research in Personality, 36 (6), 556–563. https://doi.org/10.1016/S0092-6566(02)00505-6

Buckels, E. E., Jones, D. N., & Paulhus, D. L. (2013). Behavioral confirmation of everyday sadism. Psychological Science, 24 (11), 2201–2209. https://doi.org/10.1177/0956797613490749

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Kevin Bennett, Ph.D., is a teaching professor of social-personality psychology at Penn State University Beaver Campus and host of Kevin Bennett Is Snarling, a podcast about danger, deception, and desire.

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This article is part of the Bringwise Psychology Journal — daily insights on human behavior, mental health, and personal growth.