Gender and Sex-Related DIsorders Flashcards
(30 cards)
When, or under what circumstances, is sexual behavior classified as being abnormal?
– deviates from the norms of one’s society.
– is self-defeating/causes personal distress
– harms others
– interferes with one’s ability to function
What are the main DSM-5 criteria for gender dysphoria in adults?
Marked incongruence between experienced and assigned gender for 6+ months, with 2+ symptoms (e.g., desire to be another gender, discomfort with sex characteristics).
Significant distress or impairment in functioning.
What is gender identity?
A person’s internal sense of being male, female, or another gender.
What is gender expression?
How someone outwardly shows their gender (e.g., clothing, behavior).
How are gender identity and expression related to gender dysphoria?
Gender dysphoria involves distress from a mismatch between gender identity and assigned sex.
What are psychological interventions for gender dysphoria?
Therapy to explore gender identity, reduce distress, and support transition.
What are medical interventions for gender dysphoria?
Hormone therapy and gender-affirming surgeries.
How many interventions are needed to treat gender dysphoria?
Success doesn’t require all interventions—depends on individual goals and relief of distress.
What is vaginoplasty?
Surgery to create a vagina, usually for male-to-female transitions.
What is phalloplasty?
Surgery to construct a penis, often using skin grafts.
What is metoidioplasty?
Surgery that enlarges the clitoris into a small penis, used in female-to-male transitions.
What are the pros and cons of phalloplasty?
Pros: Creates full-sized penis; allows implants for erection and urination.
Cons: Complex, costly, higher risk of complications; often needs multiple surgeries.
What are the pros and cons of metoidioplasty?
Pros: Less invasive; preserves sensation; uses existing tissue.
Cons: Smaller penis; limited function for penetration or standing urination without extra surgery.
What are the 8 main paraphilic disorders?
Exhibitionistic disorder – Exposing genitals to unsuspecting strangers.
Fetishistic disorder – Sexual focus on nonliving objects (e.g., shoes, underwear).
Frotteuristic disorder – Touching or rubbing against non-consenting people.
Pedophilic disorder – Sexual interest in prepubescent children.
Sexual masochism disorder – Sexual arousal from being humiliated or hurt.
Sexual sadism disorder – Arousal from causing pain or suffering to others.
Transvestic disorder – Arousal from cross-dressing (typically in heterosexual men).
Voyeuristic disorder – Watching unsuspecting people who are naked or having sex.
What should you ask a man found with women’s undergarments, and what diagnoses should you consider?
Questions:
Does he use the items for sexual arousal?
Does he wear them, and if so, in what context?
Does it cause him distress or impair his functioning?
Possible diagnoses:
Fetishistic Disorder – Sexual arousal from nonliving objects.
Transvestic Disorder – Sexual arousal from cross-dressing.
No diagnosis – If no distress, impairment, or compulsive pattern is present.
Why don’t most heterosexual males sexually assault females?
Because sexual assault is about power and control, not normal sexual desire; most men respect boundaries and consent.
Are most individuals with a pedophilic disorder likely to molest children? Why or why not?
Not all do—some never act on urges. Risk increases if they lack impulse control or deny the harm caused.
What are the main ways to assess erotic preference?
Self-report – Questionnaires or interviews.
Viewing time measures – Tracking how long someone looks at sexual images.
Physiological measures – Genital response (e.g., penile plethysmograph, vaginal photoplethysmograph).
Behavioral history – Reviewing past sexual behaviors or offenses.
What are the pros and cons of each erotic preference assessment method of sexual preference?
Self-report: Easy, but can be dishonest.
Viewing time: Hard to fake, but indirect.
Physiological: Objective, but invasive and costly.
Behavioral history: Real-world data, but relies on accurate records or confession.
What is a penile plethysmograph and what is used for?
A device that measures blood flow to the penis to assess sexual arousal, often used in evaluating erotic preferences.
How does psychodynamic theory explain deviant sexual interests? What are its limits?
View: Unresolved childhood conflicts or fixation (e.g., Oedipal issues) cause deviant arousal.
Critique: Lacks strong evidence; theories are hard to test and often too vague.
How does learning theory explain deviant sexual interests? What are its limits?
View: Deviant arousal develops through conditioning (e.g., pairing arousal with certain objects or acts).
Critique: Explains learned patterns well but ignores deeper emotional or biological factors.
What are the 3 main categories of sexual dysfunction disorders?
Desire/Arousal Disorders – Low or absent sexual interest or arousal.
Orgasm Disorders – Delayed, infrequent, or absent orgasm.
Pain Disorders – Pain during intercourse (e.g., genito-pelvic pain/penetration disorder).
How did Freud explain male erectile disorder?
Freud believed it came from unconscious conflicts—especially repressed hostility toward women or anxiety from early sexual experiences.
