masochism
Học thuậtThân thiện
Definition
Noun: 1. A condition or practice in which a person derives sexual gratification from their own pain, humiliation, or suffering. This can involve physical or psychological elements. 2. (Informal/Generalized) A tendency to find pleasure or gratification in situations that most people would find painful, frustrating, or demeaning.
Usage and Examples
- Clinical/Psychological Context:
- The therapist specialized in paraphilias, including masochism.
- His fantasies had clear elements of masochism.
- Generalized/Informal Context:
- Working 80-hour weeks for that ungrateful boss is a form of masochism.
- Some say running a marathon is pure masochism.
Advanced Usage and Concepts
- Sexual Masochism Disorder: In diagnostic manuals, this term is used when the masochistic behavior causes significant distress or impairment to the individual or involves non-consenting persons.
- Moral Masochism: A psychoanalytic concept describing a pattern of seeking suffering or failure due to unconscious feelings of guilt.
Variants and Related Words
- Masochist (noun): A person who has masochistic tendencies.
- He described himself as a masochist.
- Masochistic (adjective): Characteristic of or relating to masochism.
- She had masochistic tendencies.
- Staying in that toxic relationship was a masochistic choice.
- Masochistically (adverb): In a masochistic manner.
- He masochistically returned to the same frustrating situation.
Synonyms
- Self-defeatism (in the generalized sense)
- Self-punishment
Antonyms
- Sadism (deriving pleasure from inflicting pain on others)
- Self-indulgence
Related Idioms and Phrases
- (A) glutton for punishment: (Idiom) Someone who persistently engages in arduous or unpleasant situations.
- You're volunteering for the night shift again? You're a real glutton for punishment.
Noun
- sexual pleasure obtained from receiving punishment (physical or psychological)