Variat

Introduction

  • Welcome to the class (HLSC 2P90)

  • Emphasis on quiet and respectful work environment.

Polling Information

  • Announcement of three polls scheduled for the day.

Communication Tools

  • Use of Microsoft Teams for scheduling and communicating.

  • Scheduled meetings and chat updates.

  • Links to external forms and surveys shared by Tony Bogaert.

Sex Variations

  • Discussion begins with the concept of sexual variations.

  • Importance of distinguishing between acceptable variations and abnormalities.

  • Example given: masturbation is often seen as acceptable.

Determining Abnormality

  • Clarifying when a sexual variation is considered an abnormality that requires treatment.

  • Reference to the DSM-5, with a focus on:
      1. Recurrent intense sexual interests in unusual sexual acts (paraphilias).
      2. Duration: behaviors must have occurred for at least 6 months.
      3. These behaviors must cause distress, impairment, or risk/harm to others.

Paraphilic Disorders

  • Specification that having paraphilia without causing distress (criteria 2 and 3) does not qualify as a disorder.

Types of Paraphilias

  • Three broad categories identified:
      - A. Objects (e.g., fetishism)
      - B. Situations involving pain (S/M or sadomasochism)
      - C. Non-consenting individuals.

Addiction/Compulsion Model

  • Another perspective on abnormalities involves recognizing pathological relationships with sex:
      - Loss of control over sexual behavior.
      - Focus on any form of hypersexuality, e.g., excessive pornography consumption, sex work, affairs.

Definition and Conceptualization of Paraphilias

  • Etymology:
      - "Paraphilia" derived from "para" (meaning abnormal) and "philia" (meaning attraction).
      - Literal interpretation is "Abnormal Attraction."

  • Discussion continues about extreme paraphilias being extensions of normative sexual interests.

Continuum of Preferences

  • Examination of the preference continuum for fetish objects:
      - Ranges from mild preference to strong preference, with some individuals substituting these objects for human partners.
      - Distinction made between paraphilia and normal sexual interest.

Non-Consenting Variations and Courtship Phases

  • Introduction to courtship disorders and variations in phases:
      1. Location
      2. Pre-tactile
      3. Tactile
      4. Genital union

  • Discussion of potential distortions or confusions at different phases of courtship.

Voyeurism

  • Focus on voyeurism and the phases of appraisal involving viewing and evaluation of partners.

  • Question raised regarding societal tendencies toward voyeurism. Surveys indicate a significant percentage of university men would watch unsuspecting women undress.

  • Statistical example:
      - Western university survey results to emphasize voyeuristic behaviors among men.

Social Perceptions

  • Exploration of the psychological implications of voyeurism:
      - Feelings of violation and the sense of forbidden attraction.

  • Summation: Perspectives on non-consensual interactions as taboo yet compelling.

Exhibitionism

  • Marked as one of the more common paraphilias—strategies involved aim to solicit reactions as a reward.

  • Discussion includes obscene telephone calling, often involving younger individuals.

Sexting and Related Behaviors

  • Presentation of findings from recent studies by Mori et al. concerning sexting behaviors among young adults:
      - Estimated percentages of participants who have engaged in sexting or received explicit photos further detailed.

Tactile and Genital Behaviors

  • Overview of tactile paraphilias such as toucherism, frotteurism, masochism, and sadism.

Masochism and Sadism

  • Masochism defined:
      - Derivation of sexual pleasure from receiving pain and control.

  • Sadism defined:
      - Inflicting pain or exerting control over others.

  • Discussion of sadomasochism (combining both desires).

  • Query about gender prevalence in masochistic behaviors contrasted with societal stereotypes (e.g., 'Fifty Shades of Grey').

Atypical Sexual Behaviors

  • Covering hypersexuality (nymphomania and satyriasis) and its impact on sexual satisfaction.

  • Highlighting asphyxiophilia involving oxygen deprivation for arousal and potential risks.

Asexuality and Paraphilias

  • Investigation into asexual individuals who experience paraphilic interests despite having low sexual attraction.

  • Questions regarding asexual masturbation and motivations behind it are raised.

  • Experience sharing by asexual individuals regarding non-identity connecting to sexual objects.

Psychological and Biological Influences

  • Discussion of various potential causes for sexual variations:
      1. Learning-based influences via classical conditioning linking arousal with certain objects.
      2. Brain abnormalities associated with extreme paraphilias (e.g., linking handedness to pedophilia).
      3. Addressing psychological needs related to power and control seen in sadists.

Demographics and Gender Differences

  • Exploration of why certain behaviors are more prevalent in men explained by cultural factors, hormonal constraints, and neurobiological influences.

  • Attention to underreporting issues regarding male sexual habits and behaviors.

Conclusion and Next Steps

  • Encouraged participation in upcoming polling events and a reminder for future class activities related to assigned readings and discussions.