Atypical Sexual Variations Flashcards
Atypical
not representative of a type, group, or class
statistics are a…
poor measure of “normal sex”, behaviours must be examined in relation to social norms as well these norms vary over time and between cultures
Paraphilia
term used by American Psychological Association (APA) in Distinguished Service Medal (DSM) it is described by recurrent, atypical patterns of sexual arousal that are problematic to individual or society: unusual behaviours not always problematic
Non-Coercive
arousal with objects, pain or humiliation
Coercive
these are problematic — arousal with non-consenting and unsuspecting persons
- incidence: range from isolated, infrequent acts to frequent compulsive behaviour
Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders
DSM
Psychosexual Disorders
i) gender identity disorders (sexually unusual)
ii) paraphilias (sexually unusual)
iii) psychosexual dysfunctions
(sexually elite, sometimes sexual unusual)
iv) other psychosexual disorders
sexually oppressed is not defined here
this tends to categorize by least acceptable aspect i.e., transvestite with erectile dysfunction placed in paraphilias not psychosexual dysfunctions
Most people with atypical sexual interests
do not have a mental disorders
To be diagnosed with paraphilic disorder, DSM-5 requires that people with these interests:
- feel personal distress about their interest, not merely distress resulting from society’s disapproval; or
- have a sexual desire or behaviour that involved another person’s psychological distress, injury, or death, or
a desire for sexual behaviours involving unwilling persons or persons unable to give legal consent
To further define the line between an atypical sexual interest and disorder
he names were revised to differentiate between the behaviour itself and the disorder stemming from that behaviour (i.e., sexual masochism in DSM-IV will be title Sexual Masochism Disorder in DSM-5)
It is a subtle but crucial difference that makes it possible
for an individual to engage in consensual atypical sexual behaviour without inappropriately being labeled with a mental disorder
- revision: DSM-5 clearly distinguishes between atypical sexual interests and mental disorders involving these desires or behaviours (APA)
Paraphilias
specialized sexual fantasies and intense sexual urges which are repetitive in nature and distressing got the person, involving non-human objects, suffering and humiliation of self or partner, children or non consenting adult. The fantasy and behaviours pervade life & often acted out in times of stress or conflict
largely male disorders —
50% onset before 18 & peeks b/w 15 and 25 and gradually declines
very poor statistics expect in paedophilia where it is known
that 10-20% of all children are victims by age 18
Paedophilias
intense sexual urge or arousal to children 13 or younger over a period of atleast 6 months, individuals with paedophilia must be 16 or older and at least 5 years older than the victim — 95% of straight
___% of non-touching offences are against females whereas ___% of victims who are touched are male
99% and 60%
younger children serve largely as
masturbatory aids, very impersonal
Fetishism
“magic charm” inanimate article for arousal used in fantasy/masturbation and in relationships and is sometimes combined with unacceptable behaviour such as robbery, touching strangers — varies from seldom to frequent
objects include
underwear, high heels, silk, rubber, fur, leather
partialism
is excessive arousal by specific body part such as feet, breasts, buttocks, amputees
Difficulties arise when
partner is unwilling to participate
as many variations as objects… rituals in most sexual interactions,
these are more unusual and not understood well — it may be associated with a pleasurable experience when young.
Transvestism
cross dressing associated with sexual arousal or pleasure — mostly hetero males, but includes gay males. One garment to complete wardrobe, Public or Private & partners may or may not know.
