The Neurobiology and Psychology of Pedophilia: Recent Advances and Challenges
Date
2015
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
Frontiers in Human Neuroscience
Abstract
A pedophilic disorder is recognized for its impairment to the individual and for the harm
it may cause to others. Pedophilia is often considered a side issue and research into the
nature of pedophilia is delayed in comparison to research into other psychiatric disorders.
However, with the increasing use of neuroimaging techniques, such as functional and
structural magnetic resonance imaging (sMRI, fMRI), together with neuropsychological
studies, we are increasing our knowledge of predisposing and accompanying factors
contributing to pedophilia development. At the same time, we are faced with methodological
challenges, such as group differences between studies, including age, intelligence,
and comorbidities, together with a lack of careful assessment and control of child sexual
abuse. Having this in mind, this review highlights the most important studies investigating
pedophilia, with a strong emphasis on (neuro-) biological studies, combined with a brief
explanation of research into normal human sexuality. We focus on some of the recent
theories on the etiology of pedophilia such as the concept of a general neurodevelopmental
disorder and/or alterations of structure and function in frontal, temporal, and limbic brain
areas. With this approach, we aim to not only provide an update and overview but also
a framework for future research and to address one of the most significant questions
of how pedophilia may be explained by neurobiological and developmental alterations.
Description
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Article
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Keywords
pedophilia, Neurobiology
Citation
Tenbergen, G., Wittfoth, M., Frieling, H., Ponseti, J., Walter, M., Walter, H., … Kruger, T. H. C. (2015). The Neurobiology and Psychology of Pedophilia: Recent Advances and Challenges. Frontiers in Human Neuroscience, 9, 344.