LECTURE 4

Lecture 4: Paraphilic Disorders and BookTok Fetishism

Lecturers: Dr. Dan & Dr. Louise

Trigger Warning

  • Themes covered may be disturbing for some individuals.

  • Students are encouraged to leave if they feel uncomfortable or require support due to distress from the discussed themes.

  • Topics include: sexual exhibitionism, voyeurism, sexual sadism, and masochism.

What are Paraphilias?

  • Definition: Paraphilic disorders are characterized by persistent and intense patterns of atypical sexual arousal.

  • Manifestations: This asexual arousal may be shown through:

    • Sexual thoughts

    • Fantasies

    • Urges

    • Behaviours

  • Focus: The atypical sexual behaviour often involves:

    • Others who are unable or unwilling to consent due to age or status.

  • Criteria:

    • The individual must have acted on these thoughts or experiences marked distress.

When is it a Disorder?

  • Paraphilic disorders may involve:

    • Solitary behaviours

    • Consenting individuals

  • Not deemed a disorder unless:

    • The attitudes/behaviours cause marked distress beyond typical societal rejection.

    • They pose a significant risk of injury or death.

Focus Areas for Discussion

  1. 6D33 Coercive Sexual Sadism Disorder

  2. 6D30 Exhibitionistic Disorder

  3. 6D31 Voyeuristic Disorder

6D30 Exhibitionistic Disorder

Characteristics

  • Defined by:

    • A sustained and intense pattern of sexual arousal.

    • Manifests through persistent sexual thoughts, fantasies, urges, or behaviours.

    • Involves:

    • Exposing one’s genitals to an unsuspecting individual in public places.

  • Intent: Usually done without the intent or invitation for closer contact.

Diagnostic Criteria

  • Individual must:

    • Have acted on these thoughts, fantasies, or urges.

    • Experience marked distress from such feelings.

  • Exclusions: Consensual exhibitionistic behaviours and socially accepted forms of exhibitionism are not classified as disorders.

Essential Features of Exhibitionistic Disorder

  • Key Attributes:

    • Sustained and intense sexual arousal.

    • Manifestation through sexual thoughts, fantasies, urges, or behaviours.

    • Interaction involves exposing genitals to unsuspecting individuals.

    • Must have acted on thoughts or be markedly distressed.

  • Noteworthy questions raised include:

    • What exhibitionistic behaviours might be excluded?

    • Is this a disorder or merely a crime?

    • How are behaviours classified as disorders?

6D31 Voyeuristic Disorder

Characteristics

  • Defined by:

    • A sustained and focused pattern of sexual arousal.

    • Manifests through persistent sexual thoughts, fantasies, urges or behaviours.

    • Involves observing an unsuspecting individual:

    • Who is naked,

    • In the process of disrobing,

    • Engaging in sexual activity.

Diagnostic Criteria

  • Individual must:

    • Have acted on these thoughts, fantasies, or urges, or

    • Experience marked distress from them.

  • Exclusions: Consensual voyeuristic behaviours with consent from those being observed do not count as a disorder.

Correlation with Criminality in Voyeurism

Key Questions

  • Is there a connection between voyeuristic/exhibitionist offences and future violent sexual attacks (Contact Crimes)?

  • What is the percentage of such individuals committing more serious offences?

Evidence

  • According to McNally and Fremouw (2014):

    • Approximately 5% - 10% of individuals committing voyeuristic or exhibitionist offences proceed to more serious sexual offending (Contact Crimes).

Additional Query

  • Which is a better indicator for predicting future serious offences, voyeurism or exhibitionism?

Answer

  • Based on McNally and Fremouw (2014):

    • Voyeurism is a more reliable indicator and is termed a "gateway" offence.

Important Note Regarding Diagnosis

  • Voyeuristic Disorder is rarely diagnosed in children and generally not in adolescents due to typical sexual curiosity.

  • Sexual curiosity in adolescence often leads to impulsive or opportunistic behaviours, not repetitive or distressful arousal patterns.

Trigger Warning: Sexual Sadism

  • The next slides will discuss sexual sadism and some content may be distressing. Students are advised to leave or stand outside during this section.

6D33 Coercive Sexual Sadism Disorder

Characteristics

  • Defined as:

    • A sustained and focused pattern of sexual arousal through persistent sexual thoughts, fantasies, urges, or behaviours.

    • Involves the infliction of physical or psychological suffering on a non-consenting person.

Diagnostic Criteria

  • Individual must:

    • Have acted on these thoughts, fantasies, or urges,

    • Experience marked distress due to them.

  • Exclusions: Consensual sexual sadism and masochism are not included in this diagnosis.

Definitions

Sadism

  • Inflicting pain or harm on others.

Masochism

  • Receiving harm or pain.

Sexual Myth Formation and Perpetuation

  • Study by Galan et al. (2024) examined the relationship between Dark Personality traits and exposure to sexually explicit violent media.

  • Found reinforcement of myths suggesting such behaviours are acceptable.

Study Details

  • Surveyed 598 individuals; results revealed:

    • 9.2% believed aggressive and violent actions towards women were acceptable.

    • Normalization of coercion and violence/aggression.

    • Minimization of associated problems.

Personality Traits Identified

  • Increased traits among the 9.2% include:

    • Sadism

    • Narcissism

    • Psychopathy

    • Machiavellianism

Social Media Influence on Sexual Attitudes

Questions Raised

  • Have platforms like TikTok increased the acceptance and normality of violent and aggressive sexual attitudes?

BookTok and Sexual Myth Formation Risks

Market Analysis

  • Connor (2025) indicates:

    • Dark Romance novels make up 23% of adult fiction total sales:

    • Thrillers - 29%

    • Dark Romance - 23%

    • Horror - 13%

Dark Romance Definition

  • A subgenre featuring romance between morally grey characters or anti-heroes.

  • Often involves intense themes such as:

    • Violence

    • Trauma

    • Stalking

    • Kidnapping.