A paraphilia is a deviation from sexual pleasure in conventional terms, that is, people who manifest one present sexual behaviors or fantasies that deviate from the usual. An example of this is hybristophilia, which refers to those individuals who feel attracted to criminals or delinquents. Something that, for most of the population, is totally surprising and difficult to understand. However, there are multiple causes for this paraphilia to occur.
It is worth clarifying that paraphilias in themselves are not a pathology, but rather an erotic behavior. However, these paraphilias are always part of what are known as paraphilic disorders, which are differentiated because they bring risks and dangers both for the person who manifests them and for others.
Hybristophilia consists of being attracted to people who have committed some type of crime, or who have a clear propensity to do so, or who are outside the law, as described by psychologist José de Sola. It is a sexual preference that is motivated by the attractiveness of “the tough, dangerous or media profile” of certain individuals with a markedly aggressive character.
Although the reason is unknown, this paraphilia occurs more commonly in women, and can occur simply as a fleeting sexual impulse or as a long-lasting romantic attraction. This includes, for example, all those people who send letters to criminals in the prisons in which they are imprisoned, including serial killers. With whom, in certain cases, stable relationships have even been established that have made headlines in the media.
In order to understand the motivations of these women, forensic psychologist Katherine Ramsland conducted interviews with these profiles. The main responses she received that explained this behavior were three: due to the belief that they could change them, due to feelings of compassion that she experienced, or because they wanted part of her fame and media attention.
The psychologist José de Sola identifies a series of possible causes that can explain cases of hybristophilia paraphilia. One of them would be the traumatic experiences lived in the past, with components of abuse and sexual aggression. Another totally different possibility would be due to narcissistic needs, marked by selfishness, egocentrism and a clear lack of empathy.
However, it is also possible that people with this paraphilia present antisocial tendencies, combined with a disdain for conventional morality, as identified by the specialist. And a fourth possibility would be that these individuals have low self-esteem, which they try to alleviate through another person who presents characteristics such as strength and rudeness.
