Perversion is a type of
human behavior that
deviates from that which is understood to be
orthodox or
normal. Although the term
perversion can refer to a variety of forms of deviation, it is most often used to describe
sexual behaviors that are considered particularly abnormal, repulsive or
obsessive. Perversion differs from deviant behavior, in that the latter covers areas of behavior (such as petty crime) for which
perversion would be too strong a term. It is often considered
derogatory, and, in psychological literature, the term
paraphilia has been used as a replacement, though this term is controversial, and
deviation is sometimes used in its place.