There is no scientific proof that MAPs share common characteristics other than an attraction to children (Sandfort, 1987; Okami & Goldberg, 1992; Goudreault, 2017). The common stereotypes that pedophiles are either aggressive, deceptive, and manipulative, or meek and socially inept are assumptions rather than scientific observation (Bradford et al., 1988; Langevin, 1983; Okami & Goldberg, 1992; Wilson & Cox, 1983).

If MAPs do indeed appear to be socially unusual, current researchers often link it to the stigma surrounding minor attraction rather than something intrinsic (Cash, 2016; Jahnke, Schmidt, Geradt, & Hoyer, 2015). Given the evidence, it seems safe to conclude that MAPs are as varied and diverse as non-MAP individuals are.

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References

Bradford, J. M. W., Bloomberg, B. A., & Bourget, D. (1988). The heterogeneity/homogeneity of pedophilia. Psychiatric Journal of the University of Ottowa, 13(4), 217-226.

Cash, B.M. (2016). Self-Identifications, Sexual Development, and Wellbeing in Minor-Attracted People: An Exploratory Study (Master’s thesis). Cornell University, Ithaca, NY.

Goudreault, M.A. (2017). Study of the psychological and physiological characteristics of a community sample of pedophiles (Unpublished doctoral dissertation). Université de Montréal, Quebec, CA.

Jahnke, S., Schmidt, A.F., Geradt, M., & Hoyer, J. (2015). Stigma-Related Stress and Its Correlates Among Men with Pedophilic Sexual Interests. Archives of Sexual Behavior, 44, 2173-2187.

Langevin, R. (1983). Sexual Strands: Understanding and Treating Sexual Anomalies in Men. Hillsdale, NJ: Erlbaum.

Okami, P. & Goldberg, A. (1992). Personality Correlates of Pedophilia: Are They Reliable Indicators? The Journal of Sex Research, 29(2), 297-328.

Sandfort, T. (1987). Boys on their contacts with men: A study of sexually expressed friendships. New York, NY: Global Academic Publishers.

Wilson, G. & Cox, D. (1983). The Child-Lovers: A Study of Paedophiles in Society. London: Peter Owen Publishers.