Exhibitionism
Exhibitionism ) is the
psychological need and pattern of behavior to exhibit
naked parts of the body to other people. In exhibitionism the individual shows a tendency to an extravagant, usually at least partially sexually-inspired behavior to captivate the attention of others in a display of a body part, or parts, that would otherwise be left covered under clothing in nearly all other cultural circumstances.
The part of the body exposed can be the
female breasts or the genitalia or
buttocks of either
gender.
Exhibitionists who view exhibitionism as a lifestyle as opposed to a rare thrill carefully select their target audience and make the exposure brief, inconspicuous and apparently unintentional.
Encyclopedia
Exhibitionism ) is the
psychological need and pattern of behavior to exhibit
naked parts of the body to other people. In exhibitionism the individual shows a tendency to an extravagant, usually at least partially sexually-inspired behavior to captivate the attention of others in a display of a body part, or parts, that would otherwise be left covered under clothing in nearly all other cultural circumstances.
The part of the body exposed can be the
female breasts or the genitalia or
buttocks of either
gender.
Exhibitionists who view exhibitionism as a lifestyle as opposed to a rare thrill carefully select their target audience and make the exposure brief, inconspicuous and apparently unintentional. It is a fetish, and many such practitioners see it as an art form. Many night clubs and goth bars encourage mild exhibitionism to enhance the venue's atmosphere. This contrasts with
nudism, in which the exposure not connected with sexual expression.
Some exhibitionists wish to display themselves sexually to other people singly or in groups. This can be done consensually as part of swinging or
group sex. When done nonthreateningly, the intent is usually to surprise and/or sexually arouse the viewer, giving the exhibitionist an ego rush. Some people like to expose themselves in front of large crowds, typically at sporting events; see
streaking. A similar phenomenon is when, at the conclusion of a sporting event, a woman may flash her
breasts while sitting atop someone's shoulders in a dense crowd of people.
Forms of exhibitionism, usually by females, that are captured by various forms of
media have proven highly popular among the
Western male market. Extensive evidence of this popularity can be seen with the success of the
Girls Gone Wild and Guys Gone Wild enterprises, Exhibitionistworld.com, Voyeurweb.com, and the proliferation of "
Mardi Gras flashing" websites. Flashing is also common on
The Jerry Springer Show which rewards female audience members for flashing with a set of beads similar to Mardi Gras. In Wrestling on
World Wrestling Entertainment's ECW Brand Kelly Kelly plays a exhibitionist character.
Psychiatric Implications
Generally this type of exhibitionism does not have legal implications, unless the individual shows an aggressive or criminal behavior, as in
indecent exposure. Likewise, exhibitionism does not necessarily imply alterations of the psychiatric condition of the average, everyday individual, although according to DSM IV , where all psychiatric illnesses are represented as numerals to avoid confusion,
exhibitionism is classified as 302.4. Many psychiatric definitions of exhibitionism broadly define it as "sexual gratification, above and beyond the sexual act itself, that is achieved by risky public sexual activity and/or bodily exposure." It can include "engaging in sex where one may possibly be seen in the act, or caught in the act."
Reasons for the various types of exhibitionism are varied. The person can act on the basis of competing to be the "first" in a trend, on the basis of adhering to a particular
fashion, ostentation, posing, being bombastic, and many other instances. These forms can appear isolated or also as a group of manifestations.
Types of Exposure
Displaying one's buttocks for shock value is known as
mooning in
English or a
browneye in
Australia and
New Zealand English. Anasyrma is lifting up one's
skirt to expose bare genitals, for varied reasons.
Martymachlia is a
paraphilia involving
sexual attraction to having others watch the execution of a sexual act.
See also
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