2020/02/05 by Charles Moser, Peggy J. Kleinplatz · 1 citation
Psychology · Medicine · #Sexuality, Behavior, and Technology #Sexual function and dysfunction studies #Psychopathy, Forensic Psychiatry, Sexual Offending
paper · doi:10.1146/annurev-clinpsy-050718-095548
openalex publication_date 2020/02/05 · openalex created_date 2025/10/10 · openalex updated_date 2026/07/15
There is no accepted definition of the term paraphilia despite its being listed as an essential feature of a class of mental disorders known as the paraphilic disorders. The origin of the term, history of its inclusion as a diagnosis, and logical flaws inherent in the various definitions are discussed in this review. We examine the basis for pathologizing individuals with paraphilias, consider what paraphilias can tell us about how humans develop their sexual interests, and question the usefulness of dividing sexual interests into paraphilias and normophilias. The construct of the paraphilias appears to be poorly conceived and has outlived its usefulness.