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Courtship: Disorders

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Encyclopedia of Sexual Psychology and Behavior

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Synonyms

Anomalous Erotic Preference Disruption; Paraphilic Disruption; Preexisting Sexual Focus; Underlying Sexual Disorder

Definition

Courtship disorders are disruptions of the typical courtship succession in which pre-copulatory ideations and behaviors intended to result in partnership with another become exaggerated and/or omitted, potentially to harmful degrees.

Introduction

Human courtship tends to follow an established trajectory. One sees someone to whom they are attracted. They introduce themselves, they chat, get to know the person, and form a connection. If both parties are interested in one another, intimacy might build via deeper conversation and playful touching. If all goes well, this could result in a sexual partnership. According to Freund and Kolarsky (1965, as cited in Freund & Watson, 1990), the natural courtship process for securing a sexual partner consists of four phases: identification of said partner, pre-tactile interaction (interaction that builds a personal...

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References

  • Freund, K., & Seto, M. (1998). Preferential rape in the theory of courtship disorder. Archives of Sexual Behavior, 27(5), 433–443.

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  • Freund, K., & Watson, R. (1990). Map** the boundaries of courtship disorder. The Journal of Sex Research, 27(4), 589–606.

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  • Freund, K., Scher, H., & Hucker, S. (1983). The courtship disorders. Archives of Sexual Behavior, 12(5), 369–379.

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  • Harrigan, S. (2016). Diagnosing mental disorders: DSM-5 and the ICD-10. Paraphilic disorders. [Video]. Classroom Productions.

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  • Lang, R., Langevin, R., Checkley, K. L., & Pugh, G. (1987). Genital exhibitionism: Courtship disorder or narcissism? Canadian Journal of Behavioural Science, 19(2), 216–232.

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  • Sorrentino, R. (2016). DSM-5 and paraphilias: What psychiatrists need to know. Psychiatric Times, 33(11). https://www.psychiatrictimes.com/view/dsm-5-and-paraphilias-what-psychiatrists-need-know

  • Wilson, R. J. (2015). Freund, Kurt (1914–1996). In P. Whelehan & A. Bolin (Eds.), The international encyclopedia of human sexuality. Wiley.

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Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Oklahoma State University, Stillwater, OK, USA

    Bridgett McGill

  2. University of Central Oklahoma, Edmond, OK, USA

    Steven M. Dunn

Authors
  1. Bridgett McGill
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  2. Steven M. Dunn
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Corresponding author

Correspondence to Steven M. Dunn .

Editor information

Editors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Psychology, Oakland University, ROCHESTER, MN, USA

    Todd K. Shackelford

Section Editor information

  1. Department of Psychology, Oakland University, Rochester, MI, USA

    Todd K. Shackelford

  2. Oakland University, Rochester, MI, USA

    Gavin Vance

  3. Department of Psychology, Oakland University, Rochester Hills, MI, USA

    Madeleine K. Meehan

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McGill, B., Dunn, S.M. (2023). Courtship: Disorders. In: Shackelford, T.K. (eds) Encyclopedia of Sexual Psychology and Behavior. Springer, Cham. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-031-08956-5_336-1

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-031-08956-5_336-1

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  • Publisher Name: Springer, Cham

  • Print ISBN: 978-3-031-08956-5

  • Online ISBN: 978-3-031-08956-5

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