A perversion can be used in various contexts, but one common usage relates to sexual desires or behaviors that are considered abnormal.
A perversion may be:
(1) a normal sexual expression that is condemned by someone in authority
(2) an experimentation in someone with normal sexuality
(3) a minor expression in someone who is otherwise relatively normal
(4) pathologic, problematic and/or criminal
A perversion may be problematic if:
(1) the person is unable to express normal sexuality
(2) it results in the person being rejected or ostracized by others in the community
(3) it involves harm to someone else or a criminal activity
(4) it is entwined with other serious psychopathology
A person engaged in a perversion usually does not select the particular activity consciously. The person may or may not feel shame. The person may or may not be able to control the behavior.
