Kurt Freund
Czech-Canadian sexologist
Kurt Freund (January 17, 1914 – October 23, 1996) was a Czech-Canadian sexologist known for his pioneering research in the field of sexual orientation and paraphilia. He is best known for developing the phallometric test, a method used to measure sexual arousal patterns in males.
Early life and education[edit | edit source]
Kurt Freund was born in Chrudim, Czechoslovakia. He studied medicine at Charles University in Prague, where he developed an interest in psychiatry and sexology. His early career was interrupted by the Second World War, during which he served in the Czechoslovak Army.
Career[edit | edit source]
After the war, Freund returned to Czechoslovakia and began working at the Sexological Institute in Prague. It was here that he developed the phallometric test, which measures changes in penile circumference in response to sexual stimuli. This test was initially used to assess homosexuality in men, as homosexuality was illegal in Czechoslovakia at the time.
In 1968, following the Prague Spring and the subsequent invasion by the Warsaw Pact forces, Freund emigrated to Canada. He joined the Clarke Institute of Psychiatry in Toronto, where he continued his research on sexual orientation and paraphilias.
Research and contributions[edit | edit source]
Freund's work was groundbreaking in the study of sexual orientation. He was one of the first researchers to argue that homosexuality is not a mental disorder, challenging prevailing views of the time. His research provided evidence that sexual orientation is not a choice and is resistant to change.
Freund also studied pedophilia and other paraphilias, contributing to the understanding of these conditions. His work helped to develop treatment programs for individuals with paraphilic disorders, emphasizing the importance of understanding the underlying causes of these conditions.
Legacy[edit | edit source]
Kurt Freund's contributions to sexology have had a lasting impact on the field. His development of the phallometric test remains a valuable tool in both research and clinical settings. Freund's advocacy for the decriminalization and destigmatization of homosexuality paved the way for more inclusive and humane approaches to sexual orientation.
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