Trope Description Improvement Drive

When a character does something evil, cruel or very mean for no apparent gain, because the author wants to demonstrate that they are not a nice person and shift audience sympathy away from them.

Why this trope works could be expressed in the words of William Cowper: “I would not enter on my list of friends (though graced with polished manners and fine sense, yet wanting sensibility) the man who needlessly sets foot upon a worm.” In other words, a cruel act, no matter how trivial, establishes someone as a cruel person. Conversely, the creator may show a character being kind for no apparent gain, to demonstrate that the character is a nice person and someone the audience is meant to cheer for. Both devices are used to help the audience become emotionally invested in the story.

What separates this trope from a character's other evil or cruel acts is that this bit of evil is gratuitous. It doesn't get the character anything or even advance the plot. The sole reason for this story beat existing is to place one or more characters squarely on the wrong side of the Rule of Empathy.

Dog-kickings can be verbal as well, when a line of dialogue is used to shock the audience with its sheer repugnance. If it's uttered in the presence of the hero in an action series, they'll echo the audience's thoughts and tell the villain "You're Insane!"

A sign that Evil Is Petty. Compare with Can't Get Away with Nuthin', And Your Little Dog, Too!, Kick Them While They Are Down, The Dog Bites Back,Threw My Bike on the Roof, I Will Punish Your Friend for Your Failure. See "If You're So Evil, Eat This Kitten!" for when bad guys do a Kick The Dog test to make sure undercover heroes are really evil, and Dog-Kicking Excuse for when the would-be dog-kicker has to psych themselves up to doing it.

Contrast Pet the Dog (proving you're good) and Adopt the Dog (going from Neutral to Good).

For bad people who literally kick dogs, see Bad People Abuse Animals. For the Real Life phenomenon called "Kick the Cat" or "Kick the Dog", you'll be wanting The Chain of Harm. For examples that literally involve kicking or stomping, see Cruelty by Feet.

• Extroverted, cheerful, and people-oriented. In general, they are more empathetic, encouraging, confident, communicative, humorous, compassionate, sentimental and affectionate. Sometimes, they are explosive, impulsive and even unpredictable.
  • Key Strengths: Charming, cheerful, loves people, energetic, talkative, passionate and compassionate, positive, expressive influencer, an excellent comedian, salesman or clown, quirky or eccentric, highly moralistic (mostly) and an outright fun person.
    • In common with phlegmatic: Friendly, forgiving, optimistic endurer, emotionally available, will never get negative, good with relationships.
    • In common with choleric: Adventurous, confident, hard to embarrass.
  • Key Weaknesses: Undisciplined, too talkative, Euphoric-abatament, too energetic, scatterbrained, gullible, unpredictable, and disorganized.
    • In common with phlegmatic: Weak-willed, likes to appease other people, gullible, too idealistic to the point of being unable to grasp what's gone wrong.
    • In common with choleric: Impulsive, reckless, hot-tempered, thoughtless, and sometimes self-centered at times.
  • Expressive high, responsive high; response's delay short, duration short.
  • The Inspired Influencer of DISC and Myers–Briggs types generally: Artisans
  • Will often correspond with the Optimist or the Apathetic when in a Four-Philosophy Ensemble.
  • Amongst the five main "Dere Types" qualify as the extroverted and the cutie Deredere (Lovestruck) in best cases; The Pollyanna and Plucky Girl can also qualify.
  • Oni type and Good Cop/Bad Cop: Brash Red Oni with snark, but an overall diplomatic "Good Cop".
  • Corresponding element, season, and division of a day: (hot and moist) air, spring, and morning.
  • In a person's life, it corresponds to young childhood (roughly ages 0-13).
  • Organ: Liver/Lungs.
  • The Yin-Yang Duo: Yang (white).
  • The Four Gods: Azure Dragon.
  • Planet or Satellite: Jupiter.
  • Western Zodiac Signs: Gemini, Libra, Aquarius.
  • Leadership type: Charismatic.
  • Personality Blood Type: B

• Cardinal Point: South.
• Piloting Style: Bushwacker.
• Typical Enneagram types: 2, 7.
• Emotion: Happiness/Joy.
• Stereotypical Hair Color: Blonde.

• Basic Taste: Umami (or Spicy, despite not being one of the basic tastes)
• Archetypal color: Gold, brighter shades of yellow, all shades of pink or aqua (the colors of the Sky).

• Sense of Humor: Klutzy.

• Extroverted, short-tempered, and task-oriented. Normally callous and unemotional, but will get angry for personal reasons. They tend to be magnanimous, enthusiastic, forward-thinking, tolerant, and strong-willed. Whoever has a choleric temperament will be a born leader, initiator, logical, of action, frank and who always takes the plans forward.
  • Key Strengths: Takes the lead, hard worker, strong-willed, practical, passionate, a good repossession worker, security or military personnel, an excellent strongman/woman of the team (drill sergeant at the most extreme), determined, goal-oriented and sometimes thrives on criticism.
    • In common with sanguine: Confident, loves a challenge, hard to embarrass.
    • In common with melancholic: Good planner, independent, honest without any compromisation, Excellent agent of change, sheer hard worker.
  • Key Weaknesses: Hot-tempered, rude, rebellious, can be cruel, stubborn, bossy, expects complete devotion, insensitive, often condescending, can become psychotic in overbearing situations, workaholic, without compassion or conscience, can be a warmonger, vengeful, a selfish cynic of a person's character, most likely a bad winner/loser, and may misinterpret jokes.
    • In common with sanguine: Arrogant, boisterous, often dramatic, unhinged, unfiltered in speech, often likes to make "in your face" insults.
    • In common with melancholic: Inflexible, emotionally distant, strict, demanding and fastidious, not very cooperative, vengeful, self-righteous and dogmatic, heavily sarcastic, tends sees the worst in people.
  • Expressive high, responsive low; response's delay short, duration long.
  • The Dominant Driver of DISC and Myers–Briggs types generally:Idealists
  • Will often correspond with the Apathetic or the Cynic when in a Four-Philosophy Ensemble.
  • Amongst the five main "Dere Types" qualify as Tsundere (Rude and Lovestruck), especially "Type A" and "Type B". Hot-Blooded can also qualify. May qualify as Yandere in more unstable cases.
  • Oni type and Good Cop/Bad Cop: Red Oni and cruel, sheer "Bad Cop".
  • Corresponding element, season, and division of a day: (hot and dry) fire, summer, and afternoon.
  • In a person's life, it corresponds with adolescence and young adulthood (roughly ages 13-35).
  • Organ: Gall bladder/Stomach.
  • The Yin-Yang Duo: Yang (Red).
  • The Four Gods: Vermilion Bird.
  • Planet or Satellite: Mars and the Sun.
  • Western Zodiac Signs: Aries, Leo, Sagittarius.
  • Leadership type: Headstrong.
  • Personality Blood Type: O.

• Cardinal Point: East.

• Typical Enneagram types: 3, 8.
• Emotion: Anger/Rage
• Stereotypical Hair Color: Red/Ginger.

• Basic Taste: Salty.
• Archetypal color: Darker shades of yellow, all shades of red or orange (the colors of a Volcano).

• Sense of Humor: Brash.

• Introverted, brooding, and task-oriented. Normally highly sensitive and empathetic, but can be blunt. They are introspective, sensitive and very detailed people. They are usually those people who prefer to remain silent in their corner, reserved, suspicious, but very loyal and dedicated to the people they love.
  • Key Strengths: Detailed, conservative, analytical, organized, perfectionistic, faithful to a fault, highly moralistic (mostly), discreet will of stone, elegant (in the more dignified ways), often selfless and an excellent medic, lawyer or scientist.
    • In common with choleric: Excellent leader, practical, an effective organizer and punctual.
    • In common with phlegmatic: Polite, ethical to a fault, deep, thoughtful, sensitive and gentle.
  • Key Weaknesses: Rigid, too straight-laced, critical, pessimistic, moody, depressed, impractical (yes, both practical and impractical), has unrealistically high expectations, very paranoid.
    • In common with choleric: Inflexible, can be snobbish, workaholic,emotionally distant, strict, resentful, vengeful, self-righteous and dogmatic, often sees the worst in people (and especially themselves).
    • In common with phlegmatic: Shy, insecure, easily embarrassed, slowpoke.
  • Expressive low, responsive low; response's delay long, duration long.
  • The Contemplating Conscience of DISC and Myers–Briggs types generally: Guardians
  • Will often correspond with the Cynic or the Realist when in a Four-Philosophy Ensemble.
  • Amongst the five main "Dere Types" qualify as Kuudere (Mood-Swinger ) or a tendentially sad and depressed Dandere (shy and lovestruck). Sugar-and-Ice Personality can also qualify.
  • Oni type and Good Cop/Bad Cop: Stoic, aloof Blue Oni, a cold "Bad Cop" with less affiliation (if not uninvolved).
  • Corresponding element, season, and division of a day: (cool and dry) earth, autumn, and evening.
  • In a person's life, it corresponds to middle-aged adulthood (roughly ages 35-65).
  • Organ: Spleen
  • The Yin-Yang Duo: Yin (black).
  • The Four Gods: White Tiger.
  • Planet or Satellite: Saturn and The Mercury.
  • Western Zodiac Signs: Taurus, Virgo, Capricorn.
  • Leadership type: Mastermind.
  • Personality Blood Type: A.

• Cardinal Point: North.

• Typical Enneagram types: 1, 4, 6.
• Emotion: Sadness/Sorrow.
• Stereotypical Hair Color: Black.

• Basic Taste: Both Bitter And Sour.
• Archetypal color: Navy blue, dark purple, olive or darker shades of green, all shades of brown or black (the colors of a cave or cavern).

• Sense of Humor: Tragic.

• Introverted, quiet, and people-oriented. Kind, sensitive, and empathetic towards others. They are a diplomatic person, who does not want to get into conflicts, who runs away from confusion. Sometimes impulsive, they are also more malleable than others. Doesn't like fights, is obedient, loyal, patient and fun. Usually assume passive postures in situations. They are homely, tolerant and very fond of being kind to people. ^note The temperament called Supine from another theory is covered in this temperament.
  • Key Strengths: Calm, humble, an excellent assistant, spy or librarian, discreet, flexible will of steel (flexible steel), elegant (in the simpler ways), thoughtful, patient, modest, a real sweetheart, accommodating, steady-paced, sympathetic, perceptive, normally has faith in morality (or indifferent to it), very compassionate, assuming innocent until proven guilty (or alternatively rational), a good listener, open-minded, considerate, and empathetic to all.
    • In common with melancholic: Polite, reserved, gentle, ethical to a fault, dependable, can be popular among audiences, quiet and stealthy, a deep poker face, insightful.
    • In common with sanguine: Pleasant, forgiving, witty, easygoing, idealistic endurer, emotionally available, a good sense of humour, good with relationships, accepting, playful.
  • Key Weaknesses: Indifferent, submissive, lazy, slow, shy and passive, slacker, indecisive and too yielding, often neglected by others.
    • In common with melancholic: Timid and docile, scared of sudden change, stubborn (about certain things), easily embarrassed.
    • In common with sanguine: teasing, too compromising, forgetful, often unable to find what's wrong.
  • Expressive low, responsive high; response's delay long, duration short.
  • The Stable Supporter of DISC and Myers–Briggs types generally: Rationals
  • Will often correspond with the Realist or the Optimist when in a Four-Philosophy Ensemble.
  • Amongst the five main "Dere Types" qualify as Defrosting Ice Queen (Cool and Lovestruck) or a cutie and shy Dandere. May qualify as Yandere in more unstable cases.
  • Oni type and Good Cop/Bad Cop: Blue Oni and gentle, diplomatic "Good Cop".
  • Corresponding element, season, and division of a day: (cool and moist) water, winter, and deep night.
  • In a person's life, it corresponds to older adulthood (roughly ages 65 and up).
  • Organ: Brain
  • The Yin-Yang Duo: Yin (blue).
  • The Four Gods: Black Tortoise.
  • Planet or Satellite: Venus and the Moon.
  • Western Zodiac Signs: Cancer, Scorpio, Pisces.
  • Leadership type: Levelheaded.
  • Personality Blood Type: AB.

• Cardinal Point: West.

• Typical Enneagram types: 5, 9.
• Emotion: Apathy/Indifference.
• Stereotypical Hair Color: Brown.

• Basic Taste: Sweet
• Archetypal color: Teal, green, white, gray, all shades of blue or black (the colors of the ocean).

• Sense of Humor: Dry