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Modification of deviant sexual behaviour: The need for a comprehensive approach
Author(s) -
Crawford David A.
Publication year - 1979
Publication title -
british journal of medical psychology
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.102
H-Index - 62
eISSN - 2044-8341
pISSN - 0007-1129
DOI - 10.1111/j.2044-8341.1979.tb02507.x
Subject(s) - psychology , sexual arousal , arousal , human sexuality , anxiety , developmental psychology , deviance (statistics) , isolation (microbiology) , social psychology , exhibitionism , clinical psychology , psychiatry , gender studies , statistics , mathematics , sociology , microbiology and biotechnology , biology
This paper gives four main lines of evidence to support the view that it is too simple to view sexual deviance as a problem of deviant arousal only. Firstly, clinical experience leaves the clear impression that sex offenders are not stable, well‐adjusted men with a sexual arousal problem, but have difficulties in many areas of their lives. Secondly, research on human sexuality has resulted in a greater appreciation of the complexities of sexual behaviour. It is inconsistent to accept that ‘normal’ sexual behaviour is complex and varied but maintain that deviant sexual behaviour is just an inappropriate penile response. Thirdly, treatment studies aimed at modifying homosexual behaviour have found that changes in heterosexual measures are the most important. This suggests that for sex offenders most attention should be paid to increasing non‐deviant arousal and interests. Fourthly, studies of sex offenders have consistently reported that they experience a wide variety of problems. It is unrealistic to consider the problem of deviant sexual behaviour in isolation from these other problems. It follows that comprehensive treatment programmes will be necessary, covering such problems as sexual dysfunction, anxiety, deficient social skills, inadequate sexual knowledge, poor self‐control, lack of non‐deviant sexual arousal as well as the presence of deviant sexual arousal.