SADISM AND MASOCHISM OR SADOMASOCHISM: CONCEPUAL AND EMPIRICAL CONSIDERATIONS

Abstract

In this paper it has been made an attempt in order to give a contribution to theoretical and empirical approach to sadism, masochism and sadomasochism phenomena. It has been mostly discussed about these concepts in the psychoanalytic paradigm. In this article it has been also explained some other paradgims. The most prominents are: socio-psychological (sadism and masochism are the products of culture in which is the man who dominates) and paradgim which consider human needs (need for power, protection and belongness). Moreover, the results of some meataanalytical and original researches have been presented. There also have been presented the content analysis results of litterature and religious documents. We have descibed the sadistic and masochistic (sadomasochistic) manifestations, reflected on interpersonal relations, with comment on automatic thoughts and basic beliefs which characterize these persons. The author of this article concluded that it is the best to consider these phenomena as two separate (non-correlated) constructs. In addition, author proposes a three-factor model of masochism and sadism, where he takes into account: individual experiences and learning processes, individual needs and thoughts which are the result of first and second factor.