Sexual Behaviors: What's Normal, What's Not

    Sexually deviant behavior is considered strange or odd by ordinary people because of its atypical and unusual nature. Such behavior is considered sexually and socially inappropriate (Lodi-Smith et al., 2014). Not all sexually deviant behavior is illegal. Sexuality experts have come up with several perspectives to explain sexual deviance in human beings, and this paper will discuss the psychodynamic perspective, behavioral perspective, developmental perspective, and social-cultural perspective. It will further specifically expound on fetishism, exhibitionism, voyeurism, and sadomasochism. 

Perspectives of Sexually Deviant Behavior 

Psychodynamic Perspective 

This perspective is originally attributed to Sigmund Freud, who attempted to explain these atypical behaviors from a psychological viewpoint. He stresses unconscious psychological processes, such as fear and wishes, and asserts that childhood experiences play a crucial role in molding adult behavior (Cramer, 2020). This perspective is founded on three pillars; first, the supremacy of the unconscious (Cramer, 2020). Proponents of this perspective aver that most activities of the mind take place without our knowledge. Additionally, most of the mental activities such as feelings and memories are inaccessible to the conscious mind. As such, most sexually deviant behavior is shaped by actions barely realized by people suffering from such disorders. 

Secondly, the significance of early childhood experiences. This theoretical aspect is familiar to many perspectives. Accordingly, most occurrences during early childhood, including the first months, set the pace for developing processes that affect people in the future (Cramer, 2020). Suppose such experiences are outside the ordinary typical experiences. In that case, they are more likely to dominate the behavior of such persons in adulthood. Lastly, the principle of psychic causality explains that nothing in our minds occurs by chance. Thoughts, feelings, motives, and behavior do not randomly occur but can be attributed to biological and psychological processes. Therefore, sexually deviant behavior is shaped by natural and psychological functions as such inclinations do not happen randomly. 

Behavioral Perspective 

This perspective explains that such abnormal sexual inclinations are learned. According to some proponents, sexual deviations result from accidental occurrences (Lodi-Smith et al., 2014). If a person has an unintentional experience with a sexually deviant act that is pleasurable, they tend to associate such an act with sexual pleasure. For instance, if a child experiences friction on his genitals when being spanked on his parent's lap, he might learn to associate spanking with sexual pleasure. Sometimes, however, such experiences are not accidental. Adults might expose or introduce a child to such incidents early, conditioning them to associate such experiences with sexual gratification. 

Developmental Perspective 

             This perspective emphasizes the childhood environment. Children who have grown in physically abusive and emotionally unsupportive environments could develop sexual deviations (Grady, 2018). For instance, a child who constantly witnesses domestic violence or has emotionally distant parents could develop sexually aggressive behavior. Additionally, men raised in patriarchal families are likely to abuse others sexually. This is because such experiences hinder the psychosocial development of such people. If a woman is constantly sexually abused, she could develop a fear of sexual experiences and develop promiscuity as a coping mechanism. The prevention model for this perspective requires parents to create a safe environment for their children. This will allow them room to develop psychosocially, reducing the probability of developing sexual deviations. 

Social-Cultural Perspective 

             Proponents of this perspective argue that a stereotype cannot be developed for sexual deviations since such people come from different backgrounds. Contrary to the expected, the connecting factor is not sexual desire but the desire for power and control (Sorre et al., 2020). The sexually deviated behavior is aimed at humiliating, dominating, and controlling the victims of such behaviors. These actions affirm the person's sexual adequacy and compensate for the feelings of weakness. In the process, such a person derives sexual gratification (Sorre et al., 2020). Social conditions such as socioeconomic classes create opportunities for the development of sexual deviations. 

Sexual Deviations 

Fetishism 

            This is the use of lifeless objects and specific body parts for sexual stimulation. Once a person sees, touches, or smells the fetish object, they become sexually aroused. People with this deviation act on it by masturbating once they are aroused or getting their sexual partners to wear the thing during intercourse (Castellini et al., 2018). For instance, women's lingerie could be a fetish object. Such people could also have body parts such as breasts and toes as fetish objects. The behavioral perspective explains fetishism as a learned connection between the object and sexual feelings. Fetishes are generally not illegal as they barely upset or harm others. 

Exhibitionism 

            This is a condition where a person has intense and constant sexually arousing fantasies characterized by exposing one's genitalia. A person with this sexual deviation does not initiate any sexual contact with the person to whom they reveal themselves. Instead, they masturbate during the act, sometimes with the hope that they will sexually arouse the other person (Castellini et al., 2018). This behavior, unlike fetishism, is illegal in most states as it is upsetting. Exhibitionism also brings out the societal, cultural differences in that women are rarely considered sexually deviant when they wear sexually revealing clothes, but exposure by men is considered offensive. The developmental perspective could be used to explain exhibitionism. 

Voyeurism 

            This behavior entails obtaining sexual pleasure from secretly watching others' sexual acts. Such people also derive sexual gratification from secretly listening to sexual conversations. The main characteristic of voyeurism is the risk element (Castellini et al., 2018). Voyeurs cannot be aroused by a situation that has no degree of risk. For instance, a voyeur cannot be aroused by going to a strip club. Commonly, a voyeur secretly observes strangers and is not interested in having any sexual relations with them. Voyeurism is illegal, as, in most jurisdictions, it is categorized as a misdemeanor.  

Sadomasochism 

             Sadism is the behavior of obtaining sexual gratification from inflicting physical or psychological pain on another person. This behavior manifests a desire for domination, while masochism is the deviation of deriving sexual gratification from experiencing pain. The person on the receiving end of sadism may not be a willing participant. When they both willingly participate in the act, it is referred to as sadomasochism (Weierstall & Giebel, 2017). These activities include restraining the other person, biting, beating, urinating, and even raping them. Sadomasochism applies BDSM, a variety of erotic practices involving Bondage, Discipline, Submission, and Dominance. These behaviors occur until one seeks treatment. 

Conclusion 

This paper has discussed sexually deviant behaviors in human beings and has strived to explain the causes of such behaviors through various perspectives. The psychodynamic perspective explains that such behaviors are psychologically shaped in childhood. The behavioral perspective elucidates that such behaviors are learned. The developmental perspective focuses on a person's childhood environment, while the social-cultural perspective associates such behavior with the need for power and control. The paper has also elaborated on some sexually deviant behavior, such as fetishism aroused by inanimate objects. Exhibitionism entails exposing one's genitals, while voyeurism derives pleasure from secretly watching others' sexual activities. Sadomasochism is the consensual engagement in pain-inflicting sexual activities. All these disorders can be treated by seeking medical help. 

References 

Castellini, G., Rellini, A. H., Appignanesi, C., Pinucci, I., Fattorini, M., Grano, E., & Ricca, V. (2018). Deviance or Normalcy? The Relationship Among Paraphilic Thoughts and Behaviors, Hypersexuality, and Psychopathology in a Sample of University Students.  The Journal of Sexual Medicine ,  15 (9), 1322-1335. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jsxm.2018.07.015 

Cramer, P. (2020). Psychodynamic perspective of defense mechanisms.  The Wiley Encyclopedia of Personality and Individual Differences , 147-151.  https://doi.org/10.1002/9781119547143.ch26 

Grady, M. D. (2018). Childhood Maltreatment Experiences, Attachment, Sexual Offending: Testing a Theory.  Journal of Interpersonal Violence . https://doi.org/10.1177%2F0886260518814262 

Lodi-Smith, J., Shepard, K., & Wagner, S. (2014). Personality and sexually deviant behavior.  Personality and Individual Differences ,  70 , 39-44.  https://doi.org/10.1016/j.paid.2014.06.012 

Sorre, B., Oino, P., & Cheseto, N. (2020). Psychology of Perverse Sexual Behavior: Socio-Economic Crisis in Kenya.  East Africa Journal of Traditions, Culture and Religion ,  2 (1), 39-47. https://doi.org/10.37284/eajtcr.2.1.197 

Weierstall, R., & Giebel, G. (2017). The Sadomasochism Checklist: A tool for Assessment of Sadomasochistic Behavior.  Archives of Sexual Behavior ,  46 (3), 735-745. doi 10.1007/s10508-016-0789-0