Validity
Convergent/Concurrent
In a sample of 413 undergraduate students, total VAST score correlated .57 with the SSIS ( Paulhus et al., 2011 ).
As hypothesized, the VAST correlated positively with self-reports of dominance by fear, sexual sadism, and part-
ner abuse.
Divergent/Discriminant
On a self-report survey, the VAST did not correlate with self-harm or depression ( Paulhus et al., 2011 ).
Construct/Factor Analytic
Factor analyses confirmed that the VAST items emerged as an independent factor in oblique factor analyses of
dark personalities ( Paulhus et al., 2011 ).
Criterion/Predictive
Behavioral validity was establishe d by showing associations between the VAST scores and two concrete
laboratory behaviors: (a) willingness to crunch bugs using a grinding machine and (b) working for the oppor-
tunity to blast innocent victims in a white noise paradigm ( r5.40). These sadistic behaviors were predicted
above and beyond the Dark Triad variables /C0narcissism, Machiavellianism, and psychopathy ( Buckels et al.,
2013 ).
Location
Paulhus, D.L., Jones, D.N., Klonsky, E.D., & Dutton, D.G. (2011). Sadistic personality and its correlates in commu-
nity samples. Unpublished manuscript, University of British Columbia, Vancouver.
Results and Comments
In contrast to the SSIS, the VAST distinguishes direct a nd vicarious facets of sadism. Research comparing the
two instruments indicates that the SSIS is primarily a meas ure of direct, rather than vicarious sadism. The latter
items encompass enjoyment of cruelty in many everyday activities /C0bullying, violent sports, films, and video
games. Hence, this broader notion has been labeled ‘everyday sadism’ ( Buckels et al., 2013; Paulhus & Dutton, in
press ).
VARIETIES OF SADISTIC TENDENCIES
Using a number from 1 to 5, please rate your degree
of agreement with each statement below. Use the follow-
ing anchors as a guide (1) strongly disagree and (5)
strongly agree.
1.In video games, I like the realistic blood spurts.
2.I sometimes replay my favorite scenes from gory
slasher films.
3.I enjoy watching cage fighting (or MMA), where
there is no escape.
4.I sometimes look away in horror movies. (R)
5.In car-racing, it’s the accidents that I enjoy most.
6.There’s way too much violence in sports. (R)
7.I love the YouTube clips of people fighting.
8.I enjoy physically hurting people.9.I would never purposely humiliate someone. (R)
10.I was purposely cruel to someone in high school.
11.I enjoy hurting my partner during sex (or
pretending to).
12.I dominate others using fear.
13.I enjoy seeing people suffer.
14.I enjoy mocking losers to their face.
15.I never said mean things to my parents. (R)
16.I enjoy tormenting animals /C0especially the nasty
ones.
Notes : Subscale scoring: Vicarious sadism 5mean of
items 1 /C07.Direct sadism 5mean of items 8 /C016.
Reverse scored item (R)
Reproduced with permission.
3. Sensational Interests Questionnaire (SIQ-R)
(Egan et al., 1999 ).585 DARK TRIAD MEASURES
V. VICES AND VIRTUES