Two types of fetishism

This study attempted to differentiate two clinical types of fetishism—fetishism proper and tranvestism—and to determine if tranvestites are truly fetishistic. The transvestites were further divided into gender-conforming and gender-noncomforming groups according to their score on a gender identity scale. These groups were compared using a self-report scale measuring fetishistic interests, and a set of questionnaire items regarding their childhood history, parental characteristics, and their emotional closeness with their parents. In addition, the penile responses of a subset of fetishists and tranvestites were recorded while they were presented with visual depictions of female and male pubic regions and potentially fetishistic objects (nylon stockings, female and male shoes, panties, male underwear, female and male feet). The fetishists proper and the transvestite subgroups did not differ from each other in terms of self-reported fetishistic interest or childhood and family histories. Moreover, there were no differences between these groups in their penile response to the potentially fetishistic stimulus they were most aroused by, relative to the depictions of the public region of their preferred gender. These results suggest that transvestites are in fact fetishistic, and that they are difficult to distinguish from fetishists proper.