Characteristics and motivations of a rapist:

Perpetrators of rape, who are overwhelmingly male, are characterized by impulsivity, quick loss of temper, lack of personally intimate relationships, and insensitivity to social cues or pressures. A subset of these individuals qualify for a diagnosis of psychopathy. Many rapists also show deficits in social and communication skills, as well as in their cognitive appraisals of women’s feelings and intentions. For example, they may have difficulty decoding women’s negative cues during social interactions and may interpret friendly behavior as flirtatious or sexually provocative. This can lead to inappropriate behaviors that women would experience as sexually intrusive.

Some studies have gone beyond examining the characteristics of men who perpetrate rape and sexual assault and have directly assessed their motives and justifications for their behavior. In one study, men who had reported engaging in sexual assault were evaluated regarding the rationale for their behavior. The primary justifications they endorsed were that the victim “had gotten [me] sexually aroused,” “led [me] on,” “was responsible,” and that “[I] thought she’d enjoy it once it started.” Factors that predicted the report of such justifications included rape-supportive attitudes held by the men, misperceptions of the victim’s sexual interest in the perpetrator, and the number of alcoholic drinks consumed by the victim.

The researchers in this study followed the perpetrators for 1 year. They found that the greater their use of justifications for having sexually assaulted a woman, the more likely they were to commit another act of sexual aggression in the future. These findings shed some light on the factors that lead some people to commit rape and sexual assault. As research progresses in this area, there are increasing efforts to better identify both potential perpetrators and victims before a sexual assault occurs and to use prevention programs to try to decrease the likelihood that such an assault will take place.

In conclusion, perpetrators of rape are characterized by certain traits and behaviors that can help us understand their motivations for committing this crime. Research is ongoing in this area to prevent rape and sexual assault from occurring. Society needs to continue to work towards this goal.

References

 Hooley, Jill, M., et al. Abnormal Psychology. Available from: VitalSource Bookshelf, (18th Edition).

         Pearson Education (US), 2019.

Rape and its Aftermath:

 Rape and its Aftermath:

Traditionally, rape has been classified as a sex crime, and society has assumed that a rapist is motivated by lust. However, in the 1970s some feminist scholars began to challenge this view, arguing that rape is motivated by the need to dominate, to assert power, and to humiliate a victim rather than by sexual desire for her. From the perspective of the victim, rape is always an act of violence and is certainly not a sexually pleasurable experience, whatever the rapist’s motivation.

While much of the motivation for rape may stem from a desire to dominate or humiliate others, there are many compelling reasons why sexual motivation is often, if not always, a very important factor too. The age distribution of rape victims includes a very high proportion of women in their teens and early 20s, who are generally considered the most sexually attractive. This age distribution is quite different from the distribution of other violent crimes. Furthermore, rapists usually cite sexual motivation as a very important cause of their actions.

In addition to the physical trauma inflicted on a victim, the psychological trauma of rape may be severe. A rape may lead to PTSD in a substantial number of female victims and can have a negative impact on a victim’s sexual functioning and on her marriage or other intimate relationships. Although there has been little systematic study of men who have been raped, one study revealed that nearly all experienced some long-term psychological distress following rape.

While there is a clear perpetrator in all instances of rape and sexual assault, there remains an unfortunate myth of “victim-precipitated” rape—a position often invoked by defense attorneys trying to prevent the perpetrator from being charged with rape. According to this view, a victim is regarded as the cause of the crime on such grounds as the alleged provocativeness of her clothing or her past sexual behavior. Fortunately, rape shield laws began to be introduced in the 1970s to protect rape victims.

A recent example of the complexity inherent in the legal situation of rape prosecution is that of Dominique Strauss-Kahn (DSK), who was accused by a New York City hotel worker of sexually assaulting her when she entered his hotel room to clean it. A police investigation confirmed that sexual contact had occurred, but DSK insisted that it was consensual. Subsequently, another woman came forward accusing him of raping her years earlier in France. However, the case unraveled when prosecutors learned that DSK’s accuser had lied about other matters. The charges were dropped.

In conclusion, rape is a complex issue with many factors at play. It can have significant physical and psychological consequences for its victims. It is important for society to continue to work towards preventing this crime and supporting its victims.

 References

 

 Hooley, Jill, M. et al. Abnormal Psychology. Available from: VitalSource Bookshelf, (18th Edition).                                   Pearson Education (US), 2019.

Delayed Ejaculation Disorder

 

 Delayed Ejaculation Disorder:

Delayed ejaculation disorder is a condition in which a man experiences persistent difficulty in ejaculating during intercourse. This condition is relatively rare, occurring in only about 3 to 10 percent of men. Men who are completely unable to ejaculate are even rarer. About 85 percent of men who have difficulty ejaculating during intercourse can nevertheless achieve orgasm by other means of stimulation, such as through solitary masturbation.

In some cases, delayed ejaculation can be related to specific physical problems such as multiple sclerosis or to the use of certain medications. For example, antidepressants that block serotonin reuptake can be an effective treatment for early ejaculation. However, in other men, these same medications—especially SSRIs—can sometimes delay or prevent orgasm to an unpleasant extent. These side effects are common but can sometimes be treated pharmacologically with medications like Viagra.

Psychological treatments for delayed ejaculation include couples therapy in which a man tries to get used to having orgasms through intercourse with a partner rather than via masturbation. Treatment may also emphasize the reduction of performance anxiety about the importance of having an orgasm versus sexual pleasure and intimacy. Increasing genital stimulation may also be helpful.

In conclusion, delayed ejaculation disorder is a relatively rare condition that can have significant consequences for a man's sexual satisfaction and relationship. There are several treatment options available, including pharmacological interventions and psychological therapy. If you or someone you know is experiencing this problem, it may be helpful to seek help from a qualified healthcare professional.

References

 Hooley, Jill, M. et al. Abnormal Psychology. Available from: VitalSource Bookshelf, (18th Edition).

             Pearson Education (US), 2019.