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The term paraphilia is derived from the Greek para (deviation) and philia (attraction) (Seligman
& Hardenburg, 2000). All societies throughout history have acquired a concept of sexual
deviancy and imposed limits on the types of sexual behavior regarded as acceptable. However,
one must keep in mind that degrees of variation exist relative to cultural traditions and socially
accepted sexual mores and norms. Moreover, religious dogma has tended to be associated with
moral condemnation of sexual deviance whereas secular approaches to understanding and
conceptualizing sexual deviancy are treated in a more liberal fashion (Gordon, 2008).

Fantasies and behavior associated with paraphilia is typically compulsive and provides
immediate sexual gratification and an escape from internalized sexual repression and discomfort
(Rathus, Nevid, & Fichner-Rathus, 2004). Paraphilia may range in severity from fantasies
accompanied by masturbation to sexual victimization of children, threats, force, injury to others
and even murder. Four common paraphilia are exhibitionism, fetishism, voyeurism and
pedophilia.

Exhibitionism includes fantasies, urges, or behaviors involving the exposure of one¶s genitals to
strangers. Sometimes individuals seek to shock or arouse others through exposure and may
masturbate in association with this paraphilia. Preferred victims are typically young girls or
women. This disorder tends to involve primarily males and begins before adulthood and
declines with age. However, it may worsen under conditions of stress or disappointment.

Fetishism is defined as sexual fantasies, compulsive urges or behavior that focuses on non living
objects as a means of sexual gratification. Common fetish objects may include women¶s
underwear, boots, shoes, objects made of rubber and latex. Scent and texture are often the source
of sexual arousal. Like exhibitionism, this paraphilia tends to begin early before adulthood with
a fetish object established in childhood.

Voyeurism is characterized by the opposite of exhibitionism, and involves repetitive and stong
compulsions to observe unsuspecting individuals undressing, naked or involved in sexual
relations (Rathus, Nevid, & Fichner-Rathus, 2004). The voyeur may masturbate while observing
or while recalling the event later. This paraphilia typically begins before the age of 15 and is
often found exclusively among men, and comorbid with other paraphilias.

Pedophilia involves sexual thoughts and behaviors focused on a child, generally 13 or younger
(Seligman & Hardenburg, 2000). This disorder is more likely to be seen in treatment because of
its harmful and illegal nature. Individuals may be attracted exclusively to children or may be
aroused by adults as well as children. This disorder often begins in adolescence and can lead to
occupational and vocational choices involving children. This disorder is often treatment resistant
for those attracted to boys (Seligman & Hardenburg, 2000. Girls aged 8-10 are typically the
target for pedophiles.
Criteria for evaluating social perceptions of what constitutes sexual deviancy should involve: 1)
degree of consent, location of sexual behavior, age of participants, nature of the sexual act,
whether harm of distress occurs, frequency of the type of sexual practice, and the degree of
contextualized repulsion felt by the sociocultural environment. Treatment solutions for
paraphilias should be multifaceted and not confined to any particular treatment methodology.
Methodologies such as psychotherapy, developmental psychology. Gestalt therapy, cognitive-
behavioral therapy, and even medicalized treatment have all beed used with varying degrees of
success depending on variable factors.

My preference in treating someone with voyeuristic tendencies would be to access several

criteria to determine the appropriate treatment methodologies for the specific case.

Anthony Rhodes
General Psychology Ph.D

References

Bhugra, D., Popelyuk, D., & McMullen, I. (2010). Paraphilias Across Cultures: Contexts and
Controversies. ·
 
   , 47(2/3), 242-256. doi:10.1080/00224491003699833

Marshall, W. L., Marshall, L. E., & Serran, G. A. (2006). Strategies in the Treatment of
Paraphilias: A Critical Review. 
   
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EBSCO .

Gordon, H. (2008). The treatment of paraphilias: An historical perspective.  

  , 18(2), 79-87. doi:10.1002/cbm.687

Rathus, S. A., Nevid, J. S., & Fichner-Rathus, L. (2004). 


  
  (6th ed.). Boston: Allyn & Bacon. ISBN: 0205406157.

Seligman, L., & Hardenburg, S. A. (2000). Assessment and Treatment of Paraphilias. ·
 

     , 78(1), 107-113. Retrieved from EBSCO .

Bienvenu, I. V., McGeorge, H., & Jacques, T. (2005). SM Roles and Mental Health: Results
from a Survey of SM Practitioners.               , 1-
20. Retrieved from EBSCO .

Bensimon, P. (2007). The Role of Pornography in Sexual Offending. 

  
 
, 14(2), 95-117. doi:10.1080/10720160701310468

Cook, E. (2006). Gender as a Sex Toy: Female Masculinity in a Sadomasochistic Context.

              , 1. Retrieved from EBSCO .
Miletski, H. (2006). Introduction to Bestiality and Zoophilia.    

, 40(12), 8-
13. Retrieved from EBSCO .

Pearson, J. (2005). Inappropriate Sexuality? Sex Magic, S/M and Wicca (or 'Whipping Harry
Potter's Arse!'). !  

"! ·
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, 11(2), 31-42. doi:10.1177/1355835805051876

Crozier, I. (2004). Philosophy in the English Boudoir: Havelock Ellis, Love and Pain, and
Sexological Discourses on Algophilia. ·
    

, 13(3), 275-305.
Retrieved from EBSCO .