HDF 253: Human Sexuality Chapter 16 Study Guide (Fall 2025)

These flashcards cover key concepts and terminology related to human sexuality, specifically focusing on paraphilias and treatment methods as discussed in Chapter 16 of the study guide.

Birching

Whipping someone using the stripped branch of a tree.

Sadomasochistic culture

Another name for the culture involving BDSM practices.

Necrophilia

Paraphilia involving sexual fantasies with a corpse.

Empathy training

Treatment that involves understanding a victim's perspective.

Transvestic disorder

A paraphilia involving sexual arousal from cross-dressing.

Voyeur characteristics

Typical traits of someone who enjoys spying on others.

Transvestic therapy goals

The aim is to cope with anxieties and guilt related to cross-dressing.

Sexual variations assessment

Ways to measure sexual behaviors including self-reports and observations.

Feces-related arousal

Paraphilic behavior involving intense sexual interest in feces.

De Sade's belief

Pain is the highest form of sexual activity for women.

Systematic desensitization purpose

To help reduce anxiety and increase relaxation around sexual stimuli.

Masochism

Sexual arousal from being humiliated or receiving pain.

Normal sexual behaviors determination

Society's judgment dictates what is considered 'normal' sexual conduct.

Compulsive sexual behavior association

Often linked to anxiety disorders.

Therapy motivation for paraphilic disorders

Individuals who seek therapy voluntarily tend to be more successful.

Sexually disordered

A person who exhibits inappropriate sexual arousal to unsuitable objects.

Sexual deviance

Behavior categorized as abnormal or not typical in sexual expression.

Paraphilia treatment

Castration was one of the earlier treatments for deviant sexual behaviors.

Orgasmic reconditioning

Technique that helps shift sexual arousal to more socially acceptable fantasies.

Frotteurism

Achieving sexual pleasure through rubbing against a non-consenting person.

Flagellation

Whipping as part of sexual activities.

Castration treatment belief

Thought to be a permanent solution for paraphilic urges.

Variant sexuality definition

Sexual behaviors that do not conform to societal norms without judgment.

Paraphilia treatment goals

Goals include symptom reduction and increasing empathy for victims.

Masturbation commonality

Earlier believed perversion but now recognized as healthy sexual expression.

Paraphilic disorder definition

Significant sexual behaviors causing distress and impairing life.

Fetishism

Craving for erotic objects that are different or unusual.

Dominatrix role

A woman who takes the dominant role in BDSM relationships.

Courtship disorders

Atypical sexual behaviors causing mental distress or potential harm.

Behavior modification techniques

Using unpleasant stimuli to change deviant sexual behaviors.

Penile plethysmography

Test measuring blood flow in response to sexual stimuli.

MMPI

Test assessing general personality characteristics.

Exhibitionism motivation

To prove masculinity and elicit fear response from victims.

Exhibitionist description

A person who finds arousal in displaying nudity to strangers.

Paraphiliac diagnosis criteria

Fulfilling certain distressing sexual behaviors for six months.

Lovemap definition

A blueprint for ideal sexual situations developed during childhood.

Surgical intervention

Procedures like castration designed to eliminate paraphilic behaviors.

Sadistic pleasure

Deriving sexual satisfaction from inflicting pain or humiliation.

Anxiety desensitization therapy

Learning to relax in anxiety-triggering situations over time.

Obsessive-compulsive disorder

A disorder characterized by intrusive thoughts and compulsive behaviors.

Paraphilia classification

Involves sexual gratification through interacting with minors.

Nymphomaniac definition

A derogatory term for a woman with high sexual appetite.

Masochism behaviors

Involves enjoying pain or humiliation as a form of sexual pleasure.

Sadomasochism

Combining sadism and masochism within sexual activities.

Transvestic disorder meaning

Arousal from wearing clothing of the opposite gender.

BDSM encounters

Includes safe words to signal comfort limitations.

Most common zoophilia animal

Typically involves dogs.

Paraphilia impacts

Affect relationships, legal standings, and personal well-being.

Fetishists demography

Most commonly male.

Cognitive-behavioral therapy methods

Use of techniques like modeling to improve empathy and social skills.

Sadomasochism foundation

Childhood experiences influencing adult preferences.

Flagellation term

Refers to whipping a partner in sexual contexts.

Transgender vs. Transvestic

Differing motivations for cross-dressing based on gender identity.

Sexual masochism diagnosis

Can lead to significant social or occupational distress.

Dominant role in BDSM

The active participant who directs the encounter.

S&M safety patterns

Most cases involve consensual and non-harmful setups.

Sadism sexual response

Enjoying the act of inflicting pain on others.

Zoophilia description

Paraphilic disorder involving sexual attraction to animals.

Exposure therapy description

Exposing individuals to their fears in a controlled manner.

Fetish and interpersonal difficulties

Some individuals struggle to connect with partners outside of their fetish.

Study sample issues

Past research on paraphilias often involved biased or non-representative groups.

Submissive role in BDSM

The passive participant who submits to the dominant's control.

Pedophile's justification

Common reasons provided for engaging with children as sexual partners.

Sex addict characteristics

Include obsessions with pornography and frequent sexual partners.

Exhibitionist public act

Involves specific motivations surrounding nudity and lack of consent.

Voyeurism description

Arousal from secretly watching others without their knowledge.

John Money's lovemap theory

Explains sexual patterns developed through early childhood experiences.

Satiation therapy task

Quick switches between fantasies during masturbation to alter arousal.

Pedophile classification criteria

Includes various forms of attraction to children.

Hypophilia definition

Lack of development in childhood stages affecting adult sexuality.

Paraphilic disorder treatment success

Behavioral techniques have shown the most effective results.