Psy 622 Sexual Deviance
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Sexual Deviance
Ashtyn Freeman
College of Humanities and Social Sciences Grand Canyon University
PSY-622: Psychopathology of Crime
Instructor Bourne
November 29, 2023
Sexual Deviance
There are many different issues that arise within society that deal with crimes ranging
from theft, murder, and sex-related offenses. According to Justia (2023) sex crimes are a
categorization of offenses that usually arise when violence happens during a sexual act, when
one party does not consent to the sexual act, or when someone participates in a sexual act with an
individual who is legally unable to consent, such as a child. When it comes to sexual deviance it
is typically not an offense; however, there are times it can lead an individual to engage in a
criminal act to gratify their deviant eroticism. Sexual deviance is considered any arousal or
desire towards items or activities that are extrinsic to societal norms. This paper will explore the
different forms of sexual deviance, analyze if sexual deviance evolves from psychological or
biological issues, and examine if the field of psychopathology can provide solutions.
Different Forms of Sexual Deviance
There are known forms of sexual deviancy including exhibitionism, fetishism,
frotteurism, pedophilia, sexual sadism, sexual masochism, voyeurism, rape, and transvestic
fetishism (Fong, 2006). According to Bartol and Bartol (2021) exhibitionism is when an
individual exposes their genitals to a nonconsenting individual. Fetishism involves an erotic
attachment to a nonliving object or an ordinarily asexual part of the body (The Editors of
Encyclopedia Britannica, 2023). Frotteurism as Bartol and Bartol (2021) explain aligns with
paraphilia as it refers to a strong sexual preference for nonhuman objects such as animals or
clothing belonging to someone else, or touching or rubbing against another individual who is
nonconsenting. Sexual sadism and masochism are similar in the way there are considered a kink,
but they are opposites when defined. According to Lawrenz and White (2022) masochism is
when an individual gets pleasure in receiving pain and sadism is when an individual gets
pleasure inflicting pain. Voyeurism is the act of spying on others while they are engaging in
private activities (Bartol & Bartol, 2021). One of the most serious forms of sexual deviance is
rape which is the infiltration of the vagina or anus with any body part of object, or oral
penetration by genitalia of another individual, without consent of the victim (Bartol & Bartol,
2021). Lastly, transvestic fetishism is when an individual has a sexual or erotic interest in cross-
dressing (Usamni et al., 2012).
Psychological or Biological?
According to research sexual deviance derives from psychological and biological factors.
As reported from Tenbergen et al., (2015) studies have shown that there is a relationship between
acts of sexual deviancy such as pedophilia and psychiatric conditions including mood disorder,
anxiety disorders, obsessive compulsive disorder (OCD), narcissism, antisocial personality
disorders, and avoidant personality disorder. It is important to note that psychologically sexual
behaviors serve as an escape from emotional and physical pain, or are a coping mechanism to
stress; however, the irony is the sexual behaviors develop into a primary way of coping and
managing situation that in turn create a cycle of more issues and increase desperation, shame,
and preoccupation (Fong, 2006). When it comes to biological factors research has suggested
neurodevelopmental disorders (including genetics) such as irregular hormone levels and
abnormal brain functions could be a main contributor to pedophilia tendencies in males
(Berryessa, 2014).
Solutions
Over the years understanding and finding treatment for sexual disorders has become
increasingly important as the rate of sexual offenses or violence has increased. Originally it was
thought that treatment regarding sexual offenders was unsuccessful or ineffective but in spite of
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that cognitive-behavioral treatment is the best and most effective suggestion. Yates (2013) stated
that interventions based on cognitive-behavior treatment and skill-based approaches that target
risk factors are explicitly linked to sexually deviant behaviors with the goal of reducing
behaviors. Based on these details sexually deviant behaviors are viewed as behavioral and
cognitive patterns that develop and progress as a result of impulsivity, lack of social influences,
intimacy deficits, issues with sexual self-regulation and general self-regulation, and attitudes that
support sexual assault (Yates, 2013). In treatment it is suggested that these be assessed prior and
included as applicable in individualized treatment plans together with assessment of static risk in
order to determine treatment intensity by these factors in combination (Yates, 2013).
Conclusion
There is no doubt that there is a lot to understand and learn about sexual deviance
including underlying causes and treatments. Some behaviors are considered to be abnormal to
society whereas others become criminal. The possible causes for sexually deviant behavior
involve both psychological and biological factors and with the treatment options available there
is hope that individuals can be helped and lessen the chances of something innocent turning into
an offense.
References
Berryessa C. M. (2014). Potential implications of research on genetic or heritable contributions
to pedophilia for the objectives of criminal law.
Recent advances in DNA & gene
sequences
,
8
(2), 65–77.
https://doi.org/10.2174/2352092209666141211233857
Fong T. W. (2006). Understanding and managing compulsive sexual behaviors.
Psychiatry
(Edgmont (Pa.: Township))
,
3
(11), 51–58.
Justia. (2023).
Sex crimes under the law
. Justia Legal Resources. Retrieved from
https://www.justia.com/criminal/offenses/sex-crimes/#:~:text=Sex%20crimes%20are
%20a%20category,consent%2C%20such%20as%20a%20child
Lawrenz, L., & White, T. (2022).
Sexual masochism, sexual sadism, and potential disorders
.
PsychCentral. Retrieved from
https://psychcentral.com/disorders/sexual-masochism-
sadism-symptoms
Tenbergen, G., Wittfoth, M., Frieling, H., Ponseti, J., Walter, M., Walter, H., Beier, K. M.,
Schiffer, B., & Kruger, T. H. (2015). The Neurobiology and Psychology of Pedophilia:
Recent Advances and Challenges.
Frontiers in human neuroscience
,
9
, 344.
https://doi.org/10.3389/fnhum.2015.00344
The Editors of Encyclopedia Britannica. (2023).
Fetishism
. Encyclopedia Britannica. Retrieved
from
https://www.britannica.com/science/fetishism-psychology
Usmani, M. A., K Gaur, R., Ahmad Azmi, S., & Gangwar, S. (2012). Treatment of transvestic
fetishism with fluoxetine: a case report.
Iranian journal of psychiatry and behavioral
sciences
,
6
(2), 100–101.
Yates, P. M. (2013). Treatment of Sexual Offenders: Research, Best Practices, and Emerging
Models.
International Journal of Behavioral & Consultation Therapy
,
8
(34), 89–95.
https://doi-org.lopes.idm.oclc.org/10.1037/h0100989
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