We have all wondered what is normal at some point in our lives. Are we normal? Are our family and friends? What we define as “normal” depends largely on our experiences and views. This especially holds true when it comes to meeting new people such as potential suitor. Are they normal? How does one really define what is normal or abnormal? Is it level of comfort, open mindedness, or are we generally just closed off to what many psychologists deem acceptable behavior? Once the topic turns to sex, it hard to avoid the topic of sexual fetishes. The phrase alone may cause many Midwestern Lutherans to blush and politely change the subject. “Fifty Shades of Grey” seemed to be the catalyst to unlock many minds into the world of fetishes. …show more content…
The DSM defines the word as “the use of non-living objects” which would mean that the object is the fetish. One may be surprised to learn just how normal these are today. We have all heard of the male fantasies involving a sultry blonde or a tempting threesome. Many psychologist theorize how fetishes change over time as they are impacted by changes in social norms. Some of the most popular fetishes may be a bit shocking for many people. They range from domination to men dressing up as babies. We will explore a bit more about these fetishes and the reasoning behind them. A foot fetish is fairly common and is indicated as a type of paraphilia. Paraphilia is defined as “sexual association with a non-sexual object, action, or thing (Sexual Fetish Psychology, 2011).” The majority of foot fetishists are men, who like to smell, lick, or taste …show more content…
It is almost like one feeds into another. There is a theory that because the areas of the brain that control genital area is next to the area that controls your feet, which is why foot fetish is so popular (Heid, n.d.). Then there is the Pavlovian Theory that if you are sexually aroused and exposure to nearly any object multiple times could link the association from the object to arousal. Additionally, those with a higher sex drive are more likely to have more uncommon sexual desires and interests (Heid, n.d.). When people are in a heightened state of arousal they are also less disgusted by normally repulsive things. This may suggest the link between seemingly gross things and sexual fetishes, such as vomit, bugs, or feces (Heid, n.d.). Lastly there is an instance of people seeking pain for the pleasure to follow. This is also described similarly to the high a runner feels after a run. They felt pain but the pleasure that follows is what keeps them running (Heid,
The normalization of being a heterosexual presence would classify you as normal and you’d feel accepted by many different groups and communities by default. Certainly no one would deny that being true. What seems to be the issue is why is being heterosexual is the only type of normality society seems to accept. While reading Gloria Anzaldua’s Borderlands/ La Frontera, the author brought up her personal struggles with her sexuality within her culture and with society. As well as other difficulties when being a female and being lesbian (Anzaldúa and Saldívar-Hull, 41). The scope of this essay should cover the many different borders we face as humans when it comes to where we draw the line on sexuality.
Everyone has heard of the movie Fifty Shades of Grey and how popular it was when it first came out in theaters. Lets back track how did this film gain such a huge audience? Well the trailer of the film successfully uses rhetoric to appeal to its audience. The trailer of Fifty Shades of Grey uses Kairos, Ethos, and Pathos to attract its audience which is what made people want to go see the movie.
In Pro Domme, we find the offer includes the possibility of fetish service providers to the public that members of the fetish. BDSM providers, mistress, bondage, humiliation and
Our sense of reality in society is not shaped by individuals, but rather shaped by all members of society working collectively. The more member’s society has to back up a topic considered abstract, the quicker and easier it becomes recognized as a social normality. This fact is demonstrated in two movies, “Lars and the Real Girl” and “Harold and Maude”. The party hosted by a Cindy from Larses office, in Lars and the Real Girl demonstrates how if everyone accepts something it becomes a standard. The multiple therapy sessions by family and friends for Harold, in Harold and Maude proves that on an individual basis, opinions are not based off of what individuals think but rather what society tells them. A common topic faced in society is love,
Sexuality is very diverse, in some instances normality is based on the cultural context of the individual 's society. In "The other side of desire" by Daniel Bergner, the author goes in depth into the lives of four individual 's whose lust and longing have led them far down the realms of desire. The current paper addresses the four individual 's Jacob, the Baroness, Roy, and Ron each exhibits a paraphilia that may or may not meet the full criteria in the DSM-5. Furthermore, each person’s specific paraphilia is conceptualized and explained in depth. Countertransferential issues anticipated before working with these individuals is analyzed and clarified. Also, the apprehension of sexual arousal and sexual behaviors is conceptualized into normality
There are many discussions as to what constitutes perverse and what is considered acceptable sex. In Nagel’s Sexual Perversion, Nagel depicts sexual perversion as being any activity that a person may think or do to satisfy their perverse sexual desires. Nagel believes that normal sex is only sex that happens between married couples for the purpose of reproduction. In Nagel’s inspection of what is considered normal and abnormal sex, Nagel introduces his situations where sex would be depicted as unnatural. First, fetishes with objects will be abnormal while plain sex will not. Secondly, Sexual desire is a form of sexual perversion. Lastly, any sexual desire that is psychological and not physical is considered abnormal. To define what normal
By doing this research, I am hoping to fill a gap in current research and to show a relationship between an individual’s current activity and preference and their perception of other people’s to be similar to their own. It will also help to show that some previously atypical sexual behaviors may be more commonly practiced than previously thought which would allow some to breathe easier about not being “deviant.”
Over the past couple centuries that the United States has existed, society has always had a judgement to make on one’s sexuality. At the head of society has consistently been white, Christian, hetereosexual males; therefore, they had the power to define sexual and societal norms. As a result, judgements on one’s sexuality have always intersected with one’s race, class or gender, groups of people that are not dominating society.
Societal influence can often lead one to the misconception of personal mental instability, this is evident in both two works by Ken Kesey and James Mangold. In One Flew Over the Cuckoo’s Nest by Ken Kesey a charismatic criminal, Randle McMurphy is forcefully admitted to a state asylum despite his perfectly healthy mind. His minimal interaction with a supervising doctor reveals the complicated attitude the film takes towards mental illness. Throughout the film, the mental state of McMurphy continues to be questioned as he rebellion escalates with hospital authorities. Similarly, in a Girl, Interrupted directed by James Mangold, a conclusion is made upon Susanna Kaysen after she is interviewed for only 20 minutes. These 20 minutes resulted in her stay in a mental asylum for two years. She finds herself stuck between choosing the inside world or facing the reality on the outside. After facing numerous criticisms, both resources showcase a different point of view for readers. One Flew Over Cuckoo’s Nest
When you hear the word “fetish” most people automatically think of something they would consider to be “weird” or “disgusting.” However, most people never stop to think of the origin of fetishes, why people engage in them, and how the people suffering from what is now called fetishistic disorder deal with their urges and feelings in their day to day lives. When put into perspective, fetishes are not what they seem and the people that have them are not so “strange” after all.
According to psychologist, Sigmund Freud, there are three main parts that make up a human’s personality: the id, ego, and superego. In the novel One Flew Over the Cuckoo’s Nest by Ken Kesey, the narrator of the story, Chief Bromden, represents each of these traits. In the beginning, Bromden only thinks of himself as any other crazy man, who no one pays attention to, but throughout the story Bromden develops mentally through all three stages of Freud’s personality analysis, maybe not in Freud’s preferred order, but he still represents them all.
To be honest, the first time I read Fifty Shades of Grey, it was for the illicit sex. The second time was to process what I read. The third, fourth and fifth times was to delve deeper into Mr. Grey’s neurological and psychological impulses. Something about his mannerisms, and the way he interacted with others, spoke to me on a profound level.
People have different opinions and ideas about normal or abnormal sexual behaviors. Sex is common all over the world, and all people are interested in it. The most common disorders are homosexuality, sexual dysfunctions, and sexual deviation. The only reason why these disorders are unique is due to the norm established by society, but they are not necessarily abnormal (Dombeck, 2002).
A fundamental step for understanding the links between human nature and intimate relationships is by understanding human sexuality. Alfred Kinsey, in his pioneering study on human sexual behaviour, illustrated the degree to which individuals differ in their sexual attitudes, beliefs and preferences (Kinsey, Pomeroy & Martin, 1948). In particular, a marked difference was highlighted in individuals’ sociosexual attitudes and behaviours. Following this, many of the sociosexual features individuals differ in, including preferred frequency of sexual intercourse, the number of different sexual partners they predict to have in the future, and their willingness to engage in uncommitted relationships, have shown to covary (Eysenk, 1976, as cited in Barnes, Malamuth & Check, 1984). Considered together, these features compose an individual difference dimension named sociosexuality (Snyder, Simpson & Gangestad, 1986). Sociosexuality reflects the tendency to engage in uncommitted, casual sexual encounters (Simpson & Gangestad, 1991). Those with a restricted sociosexual orientation typically prefer closeness and commitment from their romantic partner before engaging in sex (Simpson & Gangestad, 1991). Such individuals claim they rarely have one-night stands, and require emotional intimacy within a romantic relationship before feeling comfortable with sex (Simpson & Gangestad, 1991). Conversely, unrestricted individuals require little or no emotional bond with a partner in order to have sex. These individuals are more likely to be involved in extra-marital relationships (Seal, Agostinelli & Hannett, 1994), and exhibit more frequent displays of sexual assertiveness such as flirting (Simpson, Gangestad & Nations, 1996).
Sex is generally defined the medical definition involving the sex organs, and participation by more than one party, but as humans are complicated beings this is insufficient to provide an account of sex. In Thomas Nagel’s essay “Sexual Perversion” he addresses the psychological account of sexuality with a phenomenological approach. Nagel describes a scenario of Romeo being aroused by Juliet, and Juliet being aroused by Romeo, and Romeo being aroused by Juliet’s arousal, and so on and so forth (Nagel 37). This progression of sexual arousal between two parties is the basis for which Nagel understands of sex. This progression eventuates in physical contact wherein the other becomes more and more “possesible” by physical contact, and the progression of arousal (Nagel 39). This progression of arousal in two parties, and the embodiment by physical contact is how Nagel describes sex. This definition provides Nagel with a basis for describing sexual perversion as anything that lacks the progression of arousal between two or more conscious individuals eventuating in physical contact that emb...