Etiology of Sexual Deviance

Etiology of Sexual Deviance

Introduction

The behaviors exposed by the offenders who commit sexual offenses come in many folds. With this too, come a variety of theories regarding why sexual offenders carry out their actions, as well as theories around their thought processes and emotions that weighed into such decisions to fulfill their desires. Chad, who is a 45-year-old man, is currently incarcerated for the rape of three different women on three separate occasions. Chad reported that he would go to the bar to find women, put Rohypnol in their drinks, and once the drug has taken effect, he then proceeding forward by choosing to take advantage of these women. He took them to the bathroom to rape them. Chad states that rape gives him the feeling of being powerful. He also stated that he likes the feeling of control over his victims. Chad’s choices led to his behavior, weighing into his decisions to gain fulfillment for his desires. The paper reviews over the case of 45-year-old Chad. The writer will first describe the sexually deviant behaviors. Then will then review over the psychosocial theories and the feminist theory for its causes of Chad’s behavior as well as identifying precursors from Chad’s case. Last, the writer will compare the tenets of each theory and explain how they apply to Chad’s case.

Sexual Deviant Behavior

Deviance, whether sexual or not, carries behaviors that differ significantly from those considered appropriate by social expectations. Sexual deviancy, is no different, accompanied with the aid of poor consequences. APA Dictionary of Psychology (2018) defines sexual deviance as, “any sexual behavior, such as a paraphilia, that is viewed as significantly exclusive from the standards set up by means of a way of life or subculture.” When going over the case of Chad, his incidents and behaviors show sexual offenses that are classified as sexual deviant conduct of rape, which in any state of affairs provided, is forcible behavior of sexual intercourse towards the will of the other character involved, or carried out, without their consent.

Theories for Possible Causes of the Behavior and Precursors Supporting This

There are many theories that can be applied to further understand sexual behaviors. Looking at the purpose of Chad’s behavior, taking psychosocial theories and the feminist therapy into consideration can become aware of each signs of his actions, additionally providing in addition understanding to his actions. Terry (2013) shares, “Psychosocial theories work from the standpoint that deviant sexual conduct is a response to external factors, and that there is an interconnection between psychological and sociological variables that affect sexual behavior.” When it comes to the feminist theory, Chad suggests emotions of power, which Terry (2013) further shares, “From a theoretical perspective, rape is considered to be the end result of deep-rooted social traditions of male dominance and lady exploitation.”(2013) Chad’s mind-set perfectly implies the feminist theory, the place sexual entitlement or dominance is portrayed.

Comparing Tenets and How They Apply to the Case Study

Psychosocial theories express terrible social skills, where creating normal adult relationships is difficult. Terry (2013) shares, “Many intercourse offenders who lack suited relationship capabilities tend to misinterpret social cues, and they do so in two ways.” One way these social cues are misunderstood by using offenders is misreading the victim’s moves as sexual, whilst the different way is misunderstanding social cues, by way of watching others in society who practice deviant behavior and replicating such behaviors. In Chad’s case, his poor social skills that fall under the psychosocial theory convey that his actions of drugging the women he was meeting, were his way of furthering his desires of fulfilling his connection of gratification that he was ultimately seeking from these women, rather than establishing a relationship that could have allowed him to gain such gratifications in a healthy and appropriate manner. The feminist theory applies to Chad’s case, as Chad reported he felt powerful, and in control. Terry (2013) supports this as he shares, “Rather, rape is used as just one other tool to dominate and control women, who are considered relatively powerless compared to men and, therefore, subservient to them.”  Chad expressing his feelings of enjoying the power and control he had over these women, directly implies the feminist theory’s characteristics.

Conclusion

Sexual deviance can be tested through diverse theories, wherein certain characteristics may be cited to describe the behavior of the offender. Some offenders, like Chad, are not able or lack the proper social equipment and awareness, leading to misinterpret or misunderstand social cues from others. The psychosocial concept, inflicting to trust sure conditions or interactions have sexual cues, once they don’t. In addition, theories that mean the offender feeling powerful, or in manipulate, including the feminist theory, can further give an explanation for sexual deviant behaviors. All in all, when analyzing sexual deviancy, the behaviors can be understood, where proper approaches may be taken to consideration with such offenders.

References

APA Dictionary of Psychology. (2018). Retrieved from https://dictionary.apa.org/sexual-deviance

Terry, K. J. (2013). Sexual offenses and offenders: Theory, practice, and policy. Belmont, CA: Wadsworth Cengage Learning. Retrieved from https://phoenix.vitalsource.com/#/books/9781305143067/cfi/6/12!/4/2@0:94.7

University of Phoenix. (2016). The Case of Chad. Retrieved from University of Phoenix, CPSS/405 website. (Word Document).