exhibitionism

ex·hi·bi·tion·ism   (ěk'sə-bĭsh'ə-nĭz'əm)    n.   The act or practice of deliberately behaving so as to attract attention. Psychiatry A psychosexual disorder marked by the compulsive exposure of the genitals in public. ex'hi·bi'tion·ist n., ex'hi·bi'tion·is'tic adj.

Main Entry: ex·hi·bi·tion·ism
Pronunciation: "ek-s&-'bish-&-niz-&m
Function: noun
1 a : a perversion markedby a tendency to indecent exposure b : an act of such exposure
2 : the act or practice of behaving so as to attract attention to oneself

exhibitionism ex·hi·bi·tion·ism (ěk'sə-bĭsh'ə-nĭz'əm)
n.
An abnormal compulsion to expose the genitals with the intent of provoking sexual interest in the viewer.

---

ex'hi·bi'tion·ist n.

exhibitionism

derivation of sexual gratification through compulsive display of one's genitals. Like voyeurism (q.v.), sexual display is almost universal as a prelude to sexual activity in animals, including humans; it is regarded as deviant behaviour when it takes place outside the context of intimate sexual relations. Exhibitionists are usually not dangerous, although the experience is frequently perceived by the victim as threatening; violence or sexual assault seldom follows the display

Learn more about exhibitionism with a free trial on Britannica.com.