Psychology of sex - Total No. of Records in System :: 2032

SEXUAL DEVIATIONtwo kinds of exhibitionism may be combined in the sameperson.It is of interest to point out that the sexual symbolismof active flagellation is very closely analogous to this symbolismof exhibitionism. The flagellant approaches awoman with the rod (itself a symbol of the penis andin some countries bearing names which are also appliedto that organ) to inflict on an intimate part of her bodythe signs of blushing and the spasmodic movements whichare associated with sexual excitement, while at the sametime she feels, or the flagellant imagines that she feels, thecorresponding emotions of delicious shame. It is an evencloser mimicry of the sexual act than the exhibitionistattains, for the latter fails to secure the consent of thewoman nor does he enjoy any intimate contact with hernaked body. The difference is connected with the fact thatthe active flagellant isusually a more virile and normalperson than the exhibitionist. There is, however, onlyanalogy here and not identity; we must not regard theexhibitionist (as is sometimes done) as a sadist. In themajority of cases the exhibitionist's sexual impulse isfeeble, and he may even be suffering from an early stageof general paralysis,senile dementia, or other enfeeblingcause of mental disorganization, such as chronic alcoholism.Sexual feebleness is further indicated by the fact thatthe individuals selected as witnesses are frequently merechildren.Psychologicallythe exhibitionist's act is not so inexplicableas on the surface it may appear. He is usually ashy and timid person,sometimes of rather infantile constitution;and his act is a violent reaction against his disposition.Fetichists are also apt to be similarly shy andreserved, and Hirschfeld has insisted that there is frequentlyan element of fetichism in the exhibitionist. He