Pedophilia

Most people imagine "pedophiles" as old men, "creepers" who would not surprise us if we saw them on NBC's To Catch a Predator. However, research shows that a majority of people who fit the diagnostic criteria of pedophillia are trusted family members and friends.

Pedophillia is a psychiatric condition in which the individual has recurrent sexual thoughts, desires and impulses that involve a child (usually the cut off is 12 or age of puberty). Sometimes these individuals engage in overt behaviors, while others will keep these as thoughts and fantasies.

Exclusive pedophiles only become aroused by children; nonexclusive pedophiles are attracted to both adults and children. Sniffer (2008) found that a majority of male pedophiles are either exclusively homosexual or bisexual; however, there is no research to show that pedophillia occurs at a higher rate in the homosexual individuals when compared to other control groups.

While there is no definitive cause of pedophillia, cognitive distortions and behaviorally anchored preferences are known predecessors to the behavior. There is evidence to show that there is a positive correlation between individuals who are pedophiles and being victims of sexual abuse themselves.

Neurologically, fMRI scans have shown that people identified with pedophillia often have abnormal frontal and central regions of the brain; specifically, the area known as the central striatum shows lower amounts of grey matter when compared against individuals who are not known to have pedophillia.