Behavioral theories focus on observable behavior rather than underlying motivations. They assume that behavior develops and can be changed through conditioning: pairing positive or negative feelings with those behaviors. Thus, they assume that sexual arousal to a stimulus results from repeated association of sexual gratification with that stimulus during masturbation or sexual activity.
Several speculative behavioral theories for pedophilia have been proposed:
- Pedopohilia may result from sex play with other boys during puberty. This may cause pleasant feelings to be associated with the physical characteristics of boys at a time marked by increased sex drive. The association may be strengthened through repeated masturbation while fantasizing about these experiences.
- This theory has little support; while such sex play is common among boys, most do not grow up to be pedophiles.
- Pedophilia may be caused by mislabeling of arousal. An adolescent boy or young man may incorrectly attribute his arousal to children when another stimulus is actually responsible.
- However, such an experience would need to be repeated several times in order to associate children with sexual arousal.
- If a person experiences unpleasant consequences in connection with normal sexual behavior, he may become averse to it and develop deviant sexual arousal patterns.
- This is not supported by research showing that many homosexuals and ephebophiles do not show aversive responses to the adult female body, or to sex with women.
None of these theories have been tested scientifically.