Several theories have been offered to explain why some people develop paraphilias, including psychoanalytic theory, behavioral learning theory, and social systems theory. Psychoanalytic theory suggests that paraphilias are caused by an individual's arrested psychosexual development. Objects that are arousing to paraphiliacs tend to be non-rejecting and allow them complete control over the sexual experience. Finally, social systems theory suggests that some men need to dominate women in order to live up to standards of masculinity and dominance. As with the different sexual dysfunctions described in the previous chapter, it is important not to over-interpret your own fantasies or behaviors that may be similar to what is described in this chapter.
Many people occasionally fantasize about or engage in voyeurism, exhibitionism, and bondage.
This does not necessarily mean you have a paraphilia. Paraphilias are diagnosed only if the sexual variant is the preferred means of sexual arousal.