Define Gender Identity

1. Define gender identity and sexual orientation, paying particular attention to the differences between the two.
Gender identity is a person’s own understanding or perception of their gender. Sexual orientation refers to a person’s sexual or romantic preference or pattern. Gender identity is originated by the way a person feels about themselves verses sexual orientation which refers to a person’s romantic feelings about the same or other genders. A person who has clinically male genitalia may not feel they identify as male but instead female so their gender identity is female whereas their sexual orientation might consist of a relationship with a male.

2. Discuss hypotheses and theories regarding the development and maintenance of the paraphilia.
There is a likelihood that genetics play a factor. Research shows a strong hereditary connection in aggressive tendencies however does not show as great a connection with other types of deviant behavior. Certain neurobiological factors can also contribute to conduct disorder. This might include the impact of poor verbal skills, memory problems, or difficulty with executive functions such as self-control, planning, and problem solving. An important etiological factor is psychological impact. Understanding and acquiring a moral compass is developmentally important. If a child is not conditioned to understand the difference between right and wrong or the ability to understand the way their actions can negatively affect others they may acquire symptomatic behavior associated with conduct disorder. Peer influence can also take a part in the development; if a child is surrounded by aggressive peers they too may become aggressive. Sociological factors such as poverty or urban living also contribute to the behaviors exhibited in children with this disorder. This may be connected to the lack of parental supervision in lower SES families as they are often working more than one job or are a single parent. Treatment of conduct disorder involves a great deal of parental education and training or PMT (parental management training). It involves the positive reinforcement of good social interactions and loss of
Behavioral treatment has ultimately been shown to be promising if it encompasses the majority of the child’s waking hours. Essentially clinical treatment is taught to the parents of the child and when executed at home and within treatment centers it can have a very positive effect. Treatment consists of focusing on the natural motivations of the child instead of trying to force the child to conform to social expectation. For example, a child who pinches his or her skins for sensory stimulation may instead carry a ball they can squeeze in their pocket. Instead of extinguishing the behavior it is instead acknowledged and displaced into a different behavior that is safer for them. Other treatments involve medications that affect the level of serotonin produced as research has shown a higher level in people diagnosed with autism. Progress has also been shown opioid treatments in which the person with autism shows evidence of more positive social interactions. Although medication has been shown to be effective, behavioral treatment has proven to provide the best