Definitions of sexually deviant behavior have changed over the past few years. DSM-II the previous edition, was published in 1968, and it defined as sexually deviant any “individuals whose sexual interests are directed primarily toward objects other than people of the opposite sex, toward sexual acts not usually associated with coitus (sexual intercourse), or toward coitus performed under bizarre circumstances”. (American Psychiatric Association, 1968, p.44) Some years later, the only kinds of sexual behavior classified as disorders are: “those deviations from standard sexual behavior that involve gross impairments in the capacity for affectionate sexual activity between adult human partners” (American Psychiatric Association, 1980).

The change shows recognition by the American Psychiatric Association thst social attitudes vary, and so do sexual practices. Nevertheless, there is still some sexual behavior that psychologists and psychiatrist consider “abnormal” in our society and in others. The most common are:

Fetishism: sexual gratification that is dependant on an inanimate object or some part of the body other than the genitals.

Transvestism: sexual gratification obtained through dressing in clothing of the opposite sex.

Transsexualism: gender, identification with the opposite sex.

Exhibitionism: sexual gratification obtained through exhibiting the genitals to an involuntary observer.

Voyeurism: sexual gratification obtained through secret observations of another person’s sexual activities or genitals.

Pedophilia: sexual gratification obtained through sexual contacts with children.

Incest: sexual relations among members of the immediate family.

Rape: sexual relations achieved by threatening or using force on another person.

Sadism: sexual gratification obtained through inflicting pain on another person.

Masochism: sexual gratification obtained through having pain inflicted on oneself.