Paraphilia (Psychology/Criminology)

1. Introduction

In recent years paraphilia has been researched more, especially paraphilia that can be classified under criminal behaviour. Across all categories of paraphilia, it can be described as a sexual disorder where sexual arousal can only occur in inappropriate objects, activities or situations and in non-consenting adults or children (Burke, 2009: 288). Another definition that is presented is that the primary focus of paraphilia is to achieve sexual arousal either through non-human objects and, or through non-consenting individuals through suffering or humiliation. (Burke, 2009: 288)

To be diagnosed with paraphilia the behaviour needs to be recurrent over a period of six (6) months, with recurrent sexual arousing fantasies or behaviours involving, non-human objects, suffering or humiliation of oneself or others and children or other non-consenting individuals (Bartol & Bartol, 2011: 378-379).

Individuals with paraphilia disorders have been known to be resistant toward psychological treatment but some feel obligated to go for treatment as they feel embarrassed of their behaviour. Some paraphilia behaviours are illegal or are considered as unacceptable in society, it is said that these individuals want to convert childhood trauma into adulthood triumph (Kilmann, Sabalis, Gearing, Bukstel & Scovern. 1982:194) Most individuals diagnosed with paraphilia begin their behaviour in adolescence and are more common in males. Those who engage in one criminal paraphilia will most likely be involved in others, but studies that have been done is usually on small samples or are from one geographical area making it difficult to make findings into a universal concept (Beech & Harkins, 2012:529).

In the following assignment the author will be discussing 10 common paraphilia although there are almost up to a 1000 different paraphilia not all of them are dangerous or has criminal activity associated with them.

2. Paedophilia

The most common paraphilia...