The phenomena

This chapter examines variations in the form of behaviour, where it is idiosyncratic. Some of these forms are perfectly harmless exaggerations of ‘normal’ desire, as in the above, or where some individuals are sexually excited by particular items of clothing, most usually shoes. However, at the other extreme, some are ‘all-engaging’ and extremely dangerous. One person’s desires are fuelled by coercion and violence, whereas most of us are horrified by this. To most, a reciprocating and empathetic human is essential to sexual desire, but a few seek sex with terrified victims or even corpses. Another’s fantasies are mainly masochistic. Others are drawn to peeping through their neighbours’ windows to glimpse a naked body, whereas some want their own exposed genitals to be displayed. Some of the best known such ‘paraphilias’ these days, such as voyeurism, fetishism and exhibitionism, are apparently little if at all evident in traditional societies (Gebhard (1971). They might arise in societies where people are able to remain anonymous.

How can we understand these outliers of desire? Chapters 18–21 look at various forms of desire ‘at the fringes’ and the kind of underlying processes that appear to give rise to them. I cannot provide definitive answers to why someone exhibits a particular ‘fringe desire’, but there are now some strong pointers. The incentive-based model developed in Chapter 4 can serve as a framework for understanding.