Paraphilias may interfere with the capacity for reciprocal affectionate sexual activity. Also, it may describe sexual feelings toward otherwise non-sexual objects. Clinical literature discusses eight major paraphilias individually. Observation of paraphiliac behavior has provided valuable scientific information on the mechanisms of sexual attraction and desire , such as behavioral imprinting. Investigation has also led to the tentative conclusions that biological processes may sometimes be manifested in idiosyncratic ways in at least some of the paraphilias, and that these manifestations are frequently associated with and especially traumatic events associated with early sexual experience.
A paraphilia involves sexual arousal and gratification towards sexual behavior that is atypical or extreme. In the late 19th century, psychologists and psychiatrists started to categorize various paraphilias as they wanted a more descriptive system than the legal and religious constructs of sodomy [ 8 ] and perversion. Up until , sexual attraction to persons of the same sex was included in this list. The view of paraphilias as disorders is not universal. Some groups seeking greater understanding and acceptance of sexual diversity have lobbied for changes to the legal and medical status of unusual sexual interests and practices.
AskDefine Define parasexual Printer Friendly. Paraphilias may interfere with the capacity for sexual activity with consenting adult partners. See also List of Paraphilias. Clinical definition The clinical literature contains reports of many paraphilias, only some of receive their own entries in the diagnostic taxonomies of the American Psychological Association or the World Health Organization.