Question 1

Al has been diagnosed as a transsexual; Bob has the diagnosis of nontranssexual gender identity disorder. What is the most significant difference between these two individuals?

Accepted Answer

The most significant difference between Al and Bob is that Al has been diagnosed as a transsexual, meaning he identifies as a gender different from the one assigned at birth and is preoccupied with getting rid of his sexual characteristics, while Bob has nontranssexual gender identity disorder, meaning he does not identify as his assigned gender but is not necessarily preoccupied with changing his sexual characteristics. The other answer choices are not accurate or relevant to the difference between Al and Bob.

Question 2

The approximate rate of transsexualism in the United States is 1 in every

Accepted Answer

The answer of The approximate rate of transsexualism in the...

Question 3

How long are candidates for sex-change operations usually required to live in the community as a member of the opposite sex?

Accepted Answer

Candidates for sex-change operations are usually required to live in the community as a member of the opposite sex for 1 or 2 years before the operation is performed. This is known as the real-life experience or real-life test, and it allows the individual to fully experience living as a member of the opposite sex and ensure that they are making the right decision.

Question 4

Andy is a transsexual who has been accepted for sex reassignment surgery. What is likely to happen in the 1 to 2 years he will wait for the surgery?

Accepted Answer

It is likely that Andy will be given hormone injections to alter secondary sex characteristics during the waiting period. This is a common practice in preparation for sex reassignment surgery.

Question 5

Why do clinicians stress the need for careful evaluation of candidates for sex-change operations?

Accepted Answer

Clinicians stress the need for careful evaluation of candidates for sex-change operations because there is a high rate of psychological disturbances among this population, which can impact their ability to make a fully informed decision about the surgery and their ability to cope with potential complications or post-operative challenges.

Question 6

In contrast to transvestites, transsexuals are characterized by

Accepted Answer

Transsexuals are individuals who experience a strong and persistent desire to live as a member of the opposite sex, often seeking medical intervention such as hormone therapy and gender confirmation surgery. This desire is not rooted in sexual arousal or a desire for exhibitionism, as is often the case with transvestites. Transsexualism is considered a condition known as gender dysphoria, and is recognized by the American Psychiatric Association as a diagnosable condition.

Question 7

What is a paraphilia?

Accepted Answer

A paraphilia is a type of sexual attraction that involves something outside of the traditional norm or socially accepted behavior. This can include attraction to non-human objects, individuals who are much older or younger than the person, or other deviant behaviors that are not considered standard. These compulsive behaviors can be difficult to control, and may lead to feelings of guilt or shame. Paraphilias are considered a mental disorder when they cause significant distress or impair a person's ability to function in daily life.

Question 8

An individual spends part of his typical night peeking into windows in order to watch people as they undress; the rest of the night he kisses and fondles a black boot. What two paraphilias does this person exhibit?

Accepted Answer

Voyeurism involves gaining sexual pleasure from observing individuals who are naked, partially naked, or engaged in sexual activity. The individual in question is peeking into windows to watch people undress, which aligns with voyeurism.
Fetishism involves gaining sexual pleasure from objects or body parts that are not inherently sexual. The individual in question is fondling and kissing a black boot, which aligns with fetishism.

Question 9

What term do we use for sexual attraction to a nonliving object?

Accepted Answer

Fetishism is the term used to describe sexual attraction or arousal to nonliving objects. It is considered a paraphilia, which is a type of sexual preference that is outside of what is considered typical or normal.

Question 10

What is the primary source of sexual arousal in cases of fetishism?

Accepted Answer

The primary source of sexual arousal in cases of fetishism is inanimate objects, such as shoes, underwear, or other items of clothing or accessories. This arousal is often associated with repetitive or ritualistic behaviors involving the object. Children, humiliation, and nonconsenting partners are not considered appropriate or ethical sources of sexual arousal.

Question 11

Which of the following is the most typical fetishist?

Accepted Answer

Fetishism involves sexual attraction to nonhuman objects or body parts. Masturbating while wearing rubber garments is a common example of fetishism, making Andy the most typical fetishist in this scenario. The other options may involve certain sexual practices or preferences, but they do not necessarily fit the definition of fetishism.

Question 12

Tom has decided to seek therapy for his fetishism. Which of the following treatments is most likely to be recommended?

Accepted Answer

Aversion therapy is often used to treat fetishism by creating a negative association with the fetishistic object or behavior, thereby reducing the attraction to it.

Question 13

Why is transvestic fetishism generally limited to men?

Accepted Answer

Transvestic fetishism is generally limited to men because society is more accepting of women wearing masculine clothing, which does not carry the same taboo or fetishistic appeal as men wearing feminine clothing. This societal acceptance reduces the likelihood of fetishistic behavior developing around women wearing men's attire.

Question 14

Why is the case of Billy Tipton, the jazz musician from the 1930s, important?

Accepted Answer

Billy Tipton was born biologically female but lived as a man throughout his life and career as a jazz musician in the 1930s-50s. The case is significant in shedding light on the complexities of gender identity and expression, as well as the limitations and expectations placed on individuals based on their biological sex. It highlights the challenges and discrimination faced by individuals who identify outside of traditional gender binaries and the importance of acceptance and understanding.

Question 15

What have studies of the personality characteristics of transvestites revealed?

Accepted Answer

Studies have shown that transvestites do not differ in many areas of personality from nontransvestites. They are not more outgoing than members of the general population, and there is no evidence to suggest that they have repressed sexual abuse in childhood. While they may experience fear or discomfort when interacting with women, this is not a consistent finding in all studies.

Question 16

Although studies of the personality of transvestites have found that they do not differ in many areas of personality, there are some differences such as a tendency for transvestites to be

Accepted Answer

Studies have shown that transvestites tend to be more independent and less conforming to societal norms, but do not necessarily differ in areas such as responsibility or achievement orientation. Therefore, the best choice is B.

Question 17

In covert sensitization, individuals who want to eliminate their transvestism create vivid mental images of cross-dressing and pair them with

Accepted Answer

Covert sensitization is a form of behavior therapy used to eliminate unwanted behaviors. In the case of transvestism, individuals create vivid mental images of cross-dressing and pair them with aversive images to create a negative association with the behavior. The goal is to decrease the likelihood of engaging in the behavior due to the associated negative feelings. Shocks and sexually-arousing stimuli are not typically used in this form of therapy. Positive self-statements may be used in conjunction with other forms of therapy, but not in covert sensitization.

Question 18

Which of these individuals is engaging in behavior that would be described as sadistic sexual behavior?

Accepted Answer

Sadistic sexual behavior involves deriving sexual pleasure from inflicting pain or humiliation on others. Kevin, who is aroused by humiliating someone, fits this description. The other individuals mentioned have non-sadistic sexual behaviors (George has a fetish, Harry enjoys being hurt, John enjoys cross-dressing).

Question 19

Which of the following individuals fits the typical pattern of someone involved in masochistic sexual behavior?

Accepted Answer

Masochistic sexual behavior involves deriving sexual pleasure from one's own pain or humiliation, which is the case with Ted who enjoys being slapped during sex.

Question 20

Roger has recurrent, sexual urges and related fantasies about torturing his sexual partner. He acts out these fantasies with a prostitute. Which of the following is the best description of Roger's disorder?

Accepted Answer

Sadism is a paraphilic disorder characterized by recurrent and intense sexual arousal from inflicting physical or psychological pain, suffering, or humiliation on another individual. The fact that Roger acts out his fantasies with a prostitute indicates that he is not only experiencing sexual urges and fantasies, but also acting on them, which meets the criteria for a diagnosis of a paraphilic disorder. Masochism involves experiencing sexual arousal by being subjected to pain or humiliation, scatologia involves making obscene phone calls, and sadomasochism involves both sadism and masochism in the same individual or relationship.

Quiz 9: Sexual Variations and Disorders