Sexual Variants and Disorders
Sexual Behavior Changing Views of Sexual Behavior Change over time Sometimes permissive, at other times restrictive Views toward sexual preferences vary across cultures and over time Sigmund Freud – People innately sexual; sexual repression has negative effects. Havelock Ellis – Emphasized psychological basis of sexual problems Abnormal Psychology, 11/e by Sarason & Sarason © 2005
Abnormal Psychology, 11/e by Sarason & Sarason © 2005
Factors related to Sexual Dysfunction Performance anxiety Sexual or life-style problems Negative concerns and attitudes learned early in life (including moral/ religious beliefs) Relationship stress Fatigue Alcohol and other substances Abnormal Psychology, 11/e by Sarason & Sarason © 2005
Treatment of Sexual Dysfunctions Masters and Johnson: Sex Therapy Focus on couples and verbal and nonverbal communication Sensate focus – Sexual-retraining techniques Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy (Individual or couple) Relaxation Modeling Systematic desensitization Use of fantasy Examination of beliefs and attitudes Psychodynamic therapy (Couples or individual) For individuals whose symptoms are rooted in conflict CBT or dynamic therapy can be combined with sex therapy Abnormal Psychology, 11/e by Sarason & Sarason © 2005
Homosexuality (gay, lesbian, bisexual) Homosexual behavior Defined as sexual behavior with member’s of one’s own sex Is NOT a DSM diagnosis Homosexual persons Individuals who prefer to engage in sexual activity with members of their own sex over an extended period of time Bisexual behavior Preferred partners are sometime same sex, sometimes opposite sex Origins of sexual orientation Multiple determinants, including psychosocial and biological factors Abnormal Psychology, 11/e by Sarason & Sarason © 2005
Homosexual Experiences Description Men Women Self-identified as homosexual or bisexual 2.8 % 1.4% Had sex with person of same sex at least once since puberty 5.3% 3.5% Felt desire for sex with person of same sex 7.7% 7.5% Total reporting some same-sex desires or experiences 10.1% 8.6% Abnormal Psychology, 11/e by Sarason & Sarason © 2005
Sexual Disorders Abnormal Psychology, 11/e by Sarason & Sarason © 2005
Gender Identity Disorder Individual sexual self-concept- Feeling of being male or female Differs from sexual preference Gender identity problems in childhood Prior to puberty, children express distress at their gender and intense desire to be the opposite sex Gender Identity Disorder in adults Transsexualism Intense desire to change sexual identity and anatomical status Nontranssexual gender identity disorder Uncomfortable with their sex, frequently cross-dress, no desire to change anatomy Abnormal Psychology, 11/e by Sarason & Sarason © 2005
The Paraphilias Unusual or possibly deviant sexual attraction Fetishism - Objects Transvestic fetishism – Cross-dressing Sexual sadism – Orgasm through inflicting pain Sexual masochism – Orgasm through receiving pain or humiliation Voyeurism – Gratification by watching others Exhibitionism – Arousal from exposure of genitals in public setting Pedophilia – Children are main source of sexual desire Abnormal Psychology, 11/e by Sarason & Sarason © 2005
Treatment of Paraphilias Hormone treatment used to control desire Behavioral and cognitive-behavioral therapy sometimes effective (e.g. covert sensitization) Psychodynamic psychotherapy of little value Abnormal Psychology, 11/e by Sarason & Sarason © 2005
Treatment of Paraphilias Abnormal Psychology, 11/e by Sarason & Sarason © 2005
Sexual Victimization Types Sexual victimizers Effect on victims Sexual assaults like rape and child sexual abuse Sexual victimizers Most have Axis I and II diagnoses Resistant to treatment, but cognitive-behavioral therapy is promising Effect on victims At least 500,000 victims a year in the U.S. Victims may suffer long-lasting anxiety, posttraumatic stress disorder, and depression Many suffer from low self-esteem Often leads to hypervigilance for cues associated with victimization and/ or sex Abnormal Psychology, 11/e by Sarason & Sarason © 2005