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 members of ones 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 Abnormal Psychology, 11/e biological factors

by Sarason & Sarason 2005

Homosexual Experiences
Description
Self-identified as homosexual or bisexual Had sex with person of same sex at least once since puberty
Felt desire for sex with person of same sex Total reporting some same-sex desires or experiences

Men

Women

2.8 % 5.3%

1.4% 3.5%

7.7% 10.1%

7.5% 8.6%

Abnormal Psychology, 11/e by Sarason & Sarason 2005

Sexual Disorders

Abnormal Psychology, 11/e by Sarason & Sarason 2005

Gender Identity Disorder

Gender identity
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 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