Erotic Target Identity Inversions in Paraphilic Interest Groups: A Potential Motivating Factor

Background: Sexual preferences are multi-dimensional, including the focus of one’s erotic attraction. Erotic Target Identity Inversions (ETIIs) occur when individuals are aroused by the idea of being their erotic target (e.g., a woman) rather than just being attracted to them externally. ETIIs can lead to changes in behavior, appearance, or identity to match their erotic target. Factors like non-heterosexuality, childhood gender nonconformity, and autism spectrum disorder traits have been linked to ETIIs, though the exact nature of these associations is unclear. This study aimed to provide a comprehensive understanding of ETIIs within the broader context of sexual preferences and orientations by measuring the correlation between internal and external attractions, co-occurrence of ETIIs, and their developmental and psychological associations.Methods: A UK-based online survey collected pseudonymous data from 470 participants (110 females, 358 males, and 2 intersex individuals) interested in BDSM, age play (ETII: autonepiophilia), pet play (autozoophilia), furries (autoanthropomorphozoophilia), and balloon/inflatable fetishes. Most participants (81%) had interests in multiple groups. We assessed ETIIs in each group, including autogynephilic (female attraction) and autoandrophilic (male attraction) preferences.Results: Males were more likely to endorse any and multiple ETIIs. About 41.7% of participants reported at least one ETII, with a spectrum of internal erotic target arousal intensity. Approximately 20-50% of individuals in each paraphilic group endorsed some level of ETII. Those interested in age play and furries showed higher ETII endorsement. Mild ETII arousal varied across groups, with autoandrophilia being the least common and autoanthropomorphozoophilia the most common. Specific ETIIs, like autogynephilia, autoandrophilia, and autonepiophilia, were linked to gender-related variables such as gender identity discomfort and gender nonconformity. Non-heterosexuality was more common among those with ETIIs.Conclusion: ETIIs demonstrate specificity towards erotic targets (e.g., anthropomorphic animals) rather than activities (e.g., sadomasochism). The study supports ETIIs as a class of paraphilic interest, highlighting that females also exhibit ETII arousal. Future research should assess the stability of ETIIs over time and investigate the concordance between subjective and physiological arousal patterns, focusing on sex differences in paraphilic arousal. Limitations include the online, UK-based sample and reliance on self-report measures, with some groups being underpowered for regression analyses.