Voyeurism

Voyeurism is believed to be the most common paraphilic disorder (Hooley, et al. 2019). Someone can be diagnosed with voyeuristic disorder if they have recurrent, intense sexually arousing fantasies, urges, or behaviors involving the observation of unsuspecting people who are undressing or of couples engaging in sexual activity (Hooley et al. 2019). Voyeurism is often accompanied by exhibitionism, and it is also associated with interest in sadomasochism and cross-dressing.

Why do some people adopt this behavior?

Here are the DSM-5 criteria for a Voyeuristic Disorder:

🟦Over a period of at least 6 months, recurrent and intense sexual arousal from observing an unsuspecting person who is naked, in the process of disrobing, or engaging in sexual activity, as manifested by fantasies, urges, or behaviors.
🟦The individual has acted on these sexual urges with a nonconsenting person, or the sexual urges or fantasies cause clinically significant distress or impairment in social, occupational, or other important areas of functioning.
🟦The individual experiencing the arousal and/or acting on the urges is at least 18 years of age.

Voyeurism is not usually linked to other serious crimes. Most people have voyeuristic urges, but they are usually prevented by the risk of being caught and ethical concerns about privacy.

References

Hooley, J. M., Nock, M. K., & Butcher, J. N. (2019). Abnormal Psychology (18th ed.). Pearson Education (US). https://bookshelf.vitalsource.com/books/9780135191033