Keywords
Biopsychology
Psychopathology
Paraphilia
Mental Disorders
How to Cite
Abstract
Sexual attraction to corpses is one of the most extreme forms of paraphilia, known as necrophilia. Using a phenomenological method, this qualitative research aims to explore the biopsychological mechanisms and psychopathological dynamics underlying necrophilic behavior. To achieve this objective, forensic and clinical psychology literature from 2020 to 2025 was examined. The findings indicate that cognitive function impairment and central nervous system dysregulation significantly contribute to sexual object deviance. These findings are structured around four main pillars: (1) Biopsychological Mechanisms, which reveal dysregulation in brain reward circuits, such as limbic system hyperactivity in response to death as an erotic stimulus and weakened executive control in the prefrontal cortex; (2) Psychopathological Dynamics, where this behavior emerges as a defense mechanism against attachment trauma and an inability to achieve absolute control (omnipotence); (3) Behavioral Evolution, which traces how such conduct may develop as a maladaptive coping strategy in response to prolonged emotional deprivation; and (4) Intervention Framework, suggesting the need for integrated approaches combining forensic legal measures, pharmacological therapy for neural dysregulation, and cognitive restructuring for perpetrators, particularly within the context of Indonesia.
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