Paraphilias and Dahmer — Vocabulary Flashcards

A set of vocabulary flashcards covering key terms and concepts from the lecture notes on paraphilias and the Dahmer case.

Paraphilia

Enduring sexual interest in an image or activity that is unusual by cultural norms, lasting at least six months and typically involving distress or acting on the urges (or both).

DSM-III-R

Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, third edition revised; framework used to classify paraphilias and to acknowledge paraphilias not otherwise specified.

Paraphilias not otherwise specified

A catch-all category for paraphilias not listed by name in DSM-III-R, describing enduring sexual interests that aren’t otherwise named.

Six-month criterion

An arbitrary cutoff indicating that a pattern must persist for at least six months to be considered a paraphilia.

Exhibitionism

Desire to expose one's genitals to unsuspecting strangers; qualifies as a paraphilia if persistent for six months and distressing or acted on.

Voyeurism

Desire to peep into others’ windows or observe undressing or sexual activity; distress or action for six months supports a paraphilia diagnosis.

Telephone scatologia

Desire to make obscene or telephone calls; distress or acting on it for six months constitutes a paraphilia.

Frotteurism

Desire to rub up against or touch strangers without consent, often in crowds.

Necrophilia

Sexual interest in corpses; may involve fantasies and/or acts, and can include simulated activity with living partners.

Pedophilia

Sexual attraction to children under 12; may involve acting on urges or experiencing distress about them.

Fetishism

Sexual interest in inanimate objects or materials (e.g., latex, leather, shoes, underwear).

Partialism

A form of paraphilia that focuses on a specific body part (e.g., feet, hair) rather than the whole person or object.

Splanchnophilia

Paraphilia for viscera (internal organs); attraction to the appearance of viscera, rooted in the Greek word for viscera.

Light sexual activities (foreplay) in Dahmer’s context

Dahmer described preferring gentle activities such as rubbing, hugging, and fondling with partners.

Turn-on vs cultural acceptance

What excites someone (turn-on) is separate from what is culturally accepted; a content may trigger erection but not be labeled a paraphilia if socially acceptable.

Strength of sex drive vs paraphilia

The strength of sexual drive is separate from having a paraphilia; one can have a high or low drive regardless of the paraphilia.

Co-occurrence of paraphilias

It is common to have multiple paraphilias; on average, someone with one paraphilia has two to three.

Lawful adaptations

Legal ways to satisfy paraphilias: fantasizing, simulating the act with a partner, using pornography, or paid services.

Unlawful adaptations

Criminal means of fulfilling paraphilias: theft, prostitution, or other illegal acts.

Zombies

Dahmer’s term for a person whose will is suppressed so he could be used for sexual activity; reflects desire for control.

Control as a core theme

Across paraphilias, a central aim is to control another person; differs from sadism, which emphasizes causing pain.

Dahmer’s three paraphilias (necrophilia, frotteurism, partialism/splanchnophilia)

In the case discussed, Dahmer’s identified paraphilias included necrophilia and frotteurism, plus a partialism toward viscera (splanchnophilia).

Alcohol’s role in Dahmer’s crimes

Heavy drinking lowered inhibitions, enabling crimes linked to paraphilias that might not occur while sober.

Onset of paraphilias (age 15–16)

First fantasies of controlling another person sexually and interest in viscera reportedly began during late adolescence (around ages 15–16).

First exposure to dissection

Early experiences such as ninth-grade pig dissection and viewing human cadaver slices may have influenced later sexual interests.

Antisocial personality disorder in paraphilia

Many sex offenders with paraphilias also have antisocial traits; Dahmer did not have a diagnosed antisocial personality disorder, though traits were discussed.

Killing vs paraphilia

Killing and dismemberment were not paraphilias themselves; they were actions associated with acting on urges, with alcohol lowering inhibitions to commit them.