Chapter 16 Atypical Sexual Behavior What Constitutes Atypical

Chapter 16 Atypical Sexual Behavior

What Constitutes Atypical Sexual Behavior? • Paraphilia: uncommon sexual expression • Classified as noncoercive vs. coercive paraphilias • Behaviors represent extremes on a continuum • More males reported and prosecuted • Clustering of paraphilias • Unconventional behavior may alienate others leading to difficulty in establishing relationships

Non-Coercive Paraphilias Fetishism • Sexual arousal primarily from body part or inanimate object • Symbolic transformation • Rarely harmful to others

Non-Coercive Paraphilias Transvestic Fetishism • Sexual arousal from wearing clothes of other sex • As a diagnostic category, term is applied only to heterosexual men • Rarely harmful to others

Non-Coercive Paraphilias Sexual Sadism and Sexual Masochism • Sadism: sexual arousal from giving physical or psychological pain • Masochism: sexual arousal from receiving pain / bondage • Difficult to label because some behaviors common • Might provide escape from rigid everyday lives

Other Non-Coercive Paraphilias • Autoerotic asphyxia: reducing blood supply to the brain during heightened sexual arousal • Klismaphilia: receiving enemas • Coprophilia: contact with feces • Urophilia: contact with urine (“golden showers”)

Coercive Paraphilias Exhibitionism • Exposing genitals to an involuntary observer • Some offenders commit more serious crimes • Suggested response – Calmly ignore it – Leave immediately – Report to authorities ASAP

Coercive Paraphilias Obscene Phone Calls • Sexual arousal from response to call • Usually a shy, insecure male • Suggested response – Gently hang up, ignore re-call – Screen calls, call tracing – Report and ask for new number

Coercive Paraphilias Voyeurism • Sexual arousal from observing others undressing or engaging in sexual activity, without their consent • Offenders often feel inadequate and lack sociosexual skills – Tend to be young men in 20 s • More likely to observe strangers than acquaintances

Other Coercive Paraphilias • Frotteurism: rubbing against unwilling victim • Zoophilia: sex with animals • Necrophilia: viewing or having intercourse with corpse

Sexual Addiction Carnes’ Cycle of Addiction • Carnes’ Cycle of Addiction – – Preoccupation Ritualistic behavior Sexual activity Despair • Criticisms – Rare, and lacks distinction from other compulsive behaviors – Negates individual responsibility

Sexual Addiction Coleman’s Sexual Compulsion Cycle • Coleman’s Sexual Compulsion Cycle – – Shame and inadequacy Indulging in quick fix Brief respite Compounded feelings of shame and inadequacy • Impact of Internet on compulsive sexual behavior