1. Atypical Sexual Variations
Chapter 8
Atypical Sexual Variations

2. What is Normal? Statistical norm (mean,var) Social/cultural norm
Many behs rare but not deviant
Social/cultural norm
Varies lots
Non genital sex

3. Paraphilias Atypical sexual patterns (APA)
Arousal to unusual S (kids, shoes, rubber)
Uncontrollable, recurrent urges (acted on)
Distressing
Problematic
Mostly men
Harmless v. victim-producing

4. Fetishism
Arousal to inanimate objects (high-heeled shoes, stockings, rubber)
Masturbation device (almost all men)
Varies in intensity
Pleasurable addition
No arousal w/o object
Is this normal?

5. Class Data (N = xx, Female = xx)
Yes No
Masturbate - NonSex
Masturbate - Clothes
Male Female
Yes Yes

6. What is Normal? Matter of degree
Being aroused by high-heeled shoes is not necessarily a problem
Uncontrollable urges
Distressed & no satisfaction w/o object
Harmful to self, others (burglary of women’s shoes)

7. Reaction Paper I: Fetishism
How would react if your lover revealed that s/he had a fetish? Do you think fetishes are ‘sick’ or ‘harmless fun’? Why do you think you feel this way?
PLEASE TURN IN AFTER CLASS!

8. Transvestitism Aroused by dressing like women Married heterosexuals
No gender confusion
Likely to be oldest/only children close w/ Mom
Petticoat punishment

9. Exhibitionism
Arousal exposing genitals to unwilling women (risk of being caught)
Young, single, sexually repressed men
Problems w/ women
Hostility, power themes
Victims feel violated
Rarely initiates sexual contact
10% rapists start off as flashers

10. Causes Biology Psychoanalytical Learning No brain abnormalities
Hormone imbalances (exhibitionists high T)
Psychoanalytical
Defend against uncon fears (castration anxiety)
Symbolically assert penis
Learning
Associate object/act w/ arousal or reward during childhood

11. Masochism Aroused by pain and/or humiliation
Spanked, bound, domination, lick boots, urinated on, by sexual sadist (S&M)
Elaborate rituals
Avoid injury (pain, not damage)
Mostly men but women also
Most married, successful & prosperous
No relation w/ sexual orientation
Pain arousing only in sexual context

12. Class Data (N = xx, Female = xx)
Yes No
Kinsey (1953) ~25% ~75%
Engaged in Masochististic
Male Female
Yes Yes
Maybe or definitely
Try Masochististic

13. Masochism: Causes Psychoanalytical Not supported
Guilt over unconscious desire for power
Punish ourselves
Guilt over normal sex - domination freeing
Not supported
Masochistic desires far more common (4:1)
Start masochistic role -> sadistic
Guilt about S&M, not normal sexual desires

14. Biological Opponent Processes
Masochism: Causes
Biological Opponent Processes
physiological reactions causes equal and opposite reaction
Pain -> pleasure
Not supported
Masochism too rare in general population
Cultural variation large

15. Masochism: Causes Escape From Self Modern Western culture stressful
Reduce self-awareness releases stress
Pain, humiliation focuses attention on immediate experience
Forget self & worries of normal life
Break from stress of daily life (reprieve)
Mistress take me away

16. Paraphilias Many others - please see text
Therapy - please be sure to also read about how paraphilias are treated

17. Group Activity II: Paraphilias
Groups of 4-5 (mixed-gender) discuss the following questions
Summarize As
Present to class
PLEASE TURN IN AFTER CLASS!

18. Group Activity II: Paraphilias
1. Why do paraphilias occur primarily among men? Is there gender bias regarding behaviors labeled “deviant”? (e.g., are women who dress like men deviant?)
2. Why do you think women have more masochistic fantasies than men & men engage in more masochistic behavior?

19. Conclusions What is (ab)normal is hard to define
Rooted in current culture
Harmful to self or others key
Sexual interest, behaviors vary widely
Many theoretical approaches attempt to explain this variability