The role of the superego in exhibitionism.

The exhibitionist's relationship to his superego is a definitive feature of his general psychopathology of which the exhibitionistic act is only one manifestation. This relationship involves a compelling and persistent active defiance of those aspects of the superego which impose moral and ethical restrictions on behavior and a pervasive resistance to those aspects of the superego which demand adequate standards of functioning and conduct. Some of the implications of this as regards the treatment of exhibitionists are discussed.