What term describes a circumstance where an object or body part is psychologically necessary for sexual gratification?

The term that describes a circumstance where an object or body part is psychologically necessary for sexual gratification is fetishism. This concept involves a strong and persistent sexual attraction to specific non-human objects or particular body parts. In essence, fetishism highlights how these objects or body parts become central to an individual's sexual functioning and desire, essentially serving as a catalyst for sexual arousal.

Fetishism can manifest in various forms, such as attraction to items like shoes, leather, or even specific body parts such as feet. The significance of the object or body part in the individual's sexual experience underscores the psychological connection that elevates it to a central role in their sexual fulfillment.

The other terms listed represent different concepts in sexual psychology. Masochism refers to the enjoyment of physical pain or humiliation in sexual contexts. Paraphilia encompasses a broader range of atypical sexual interests, but it is not limited to the fixation on specific objects as fetishism is. Pedophilia specifically relates to sexual attraction to prepubescent children, which is fundamentally distinct from the object-centered nature of fetishism.