Sexual pleasures by non-living inanimate objects are called?

INI-CET EXAM -2025

Mental Health Nursing

Easy

Appeared in: INI-CET EXAM -2025

Explanation

Fetishism is defined as the attainment of sexual gratification from the use of nonliving objects or a specific focus on nongenital body parts.
The key feature is that the object of arousal is inanimate or a non-genital body part, which directly matches the question's description.
Common examples of fetishistic objects include shoes, gloves, stockings, or materials like silk and leather.
For it to be a 'disorder', the fantasies, urges, or behaviors must cause significant distress or impairment in functioning for at least six months.

Option B: Voyeurism involves arousal from watching unsuspecting people, not from inanimate objects. The source of pleasure is observational and involves other people.
Option C: Exhibitionism is about gaining arousal by exposing one's own genitals to an unsuspecting person. The focus is on the act of exposure, not on an object.
Option D: Frotteurism involves arousal from the act of touching or rubbing against a non-consenting person. It requires physical contact with another person, not an object.

Visual 1: Chart - A comparative chart outlining the core features (source of arousal, presence of a victim, typical context) of different paraphilic disorders like Fetishism, Voyeurism, Exhibitionism, and Frotteurism.

Clinical Relevance

Nursing practice connection: This is primarily an exam-oriented knowledge point with limited direct bedside application, so retain Definitions of Paraphilic Disorders as background academic context rather than a clinical decision trigger.
A key diagnostic criterion for any paraphilic disorder is that the urges or behaviors must cause clinically significant distress or impairment in social, occupational, or other important areas of functioning. A fetish interest that does not cause distress or harm is considered a paraphilia, but not a paraphilic disorder.
Nurses may encounter patients with these disorders in various settings. Understanding the definitions is crucial for non-judgmental communication, accurate assessment, and appropriate referral to mental health specialists.
What if? If the person's interest in objects did not cause them any distress or impair their ability to function in relationships or work, it would be considered a fetishistic interest (a paraphilia) but not a clinical diagnosis of Fetishistic Disorder.

How to Approach the Question

This is a factual recall question that tests your knowledge of psychiatric terminology.
First, carefully read the definition provided in the question stem: 'Sexual pleasures by non-living inanimate objects'.
Break down the key components: 1) Sexual pleasure, and 2) Non-living objects.
Evaluate each option against this definition.
Recall the specific definition for each term: Fetishism (objects), Voyeurism (watching), Exhibitionism (exposing), and Frotteurism (rubbing).
Select the term that directly matches the definition in the stem.

Concept Tested & Keywords

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