PSY 3122 Lecture Notes - Lecture 17: Social Learning Theory, Cross-Dressing, Frotteurism

• School: University of Ottawa
• Department: Psychology
• Course: PSY 3122
• Professor: Krystelle Shaughnessy

Document Summary

The statistical definition of abnormal sexual behavior is one that is rare and not practiced by many people (does not give us much insight into the psychological or social functioning of the person who engages in the behavior) The sociological approach may define a sexually deviant behavior as a sexual behavior that violates the norms of society. The psychological approach focuses on three criteria when defining abnormality: discomfort, inefficiency, and bizarreness (bizarreness may be culturally constructed) Normal sexual behavior and abnormal sexual behavior are not two separate categories, but rather gradations on a continuum. Paraphilia is defined in the dsm-v as recurrent, sexually arousing fantasies, sexual urges, or behaviors involving non-human objects, the suffering or humiliation of oneself or one"s partner, children, or other non-consenting person . Behaviors that involve unusual sexual interests, but not coercion, may be healthy expressions of sexuality for some individuals.