Article: Do ‘typical’ sexual fantasies exist?

Do ‘typical’ sexual fantasies exist?

"Can we use unusual sexual fantasies to identify sexual deviancy? Is there a link between what people fantasize about and how they actually behave?

Psychiatry’s two main diagnostic manuals list certain sexual interests - such as voyeurism, exhibitionism, fetishism, sadism and masochism - as “anomalous” or “unusual”. But, our study shows that some of these fantasies are not all that unusual."

http://theconversation.com/do-typical-sexual-fantasies-exist-33875

(We believe in the free flow of information. We use a Creative Commons license, so you can republish our articles for free, online or in print.)

jhallenbeck said:

Do ‘typical’ sexual fantasies exist?

"Can we use unusual sexual fantasies to identify sexual deviancy? Is there a link between what people fantasize about and how they actually behave?

Psychiatry’s two main diagnostic manuals list certain sexual interests - such as voyeurism, exhibitionism, fetishism, sadism and masochism - as “anomalous” or “unusual”. But, our study shows that some of these fantasies are not all that unusual."

http://theconversation.com/do-typical-sexual-fantasies-exist-33875

(We believe in the free flow of information. We use a Creative Commons license, so you can republish our articles for free, online or in print.)

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Yes, every sexual fantasy involves being desired.

jhallenbeck said:

Do ‘typical’ sexual fantasies exist?

"Can we use unusual sexual fantasies to identify sexual deviancy? Is there a link between what people fantasize about and how they actually behave?

Psychiatry’s two main diagnostic manuals list certain sexual interests - such as voyeurism, exhibitionism, fetishism, sadism and masochism - as “anomalous” or “unusual”. But, our study shows that some of these fantasies are not all that unusual."

http://theconversation.com/do-typical-sexual-fantasies-exist-33875

(We believe in the free flow of information. We use a Creative Commons license, so you can republish our articles for free, online or in print.)

Click to expand...

I'm not a Psychiatrist, but I think all fantasies are somewhat typical in most people. But, when you take the next step of asking someone if they would enjoy experiencing that fantasy you'll get a wide variety of replies. Some will leave it at pure fantasy and some will have a wish to have them happen in real life. I think that just means some people are more in tune with their sexual selves than others.

Some people are very shy when it comes to sex but their fantasies are far from shy. And some people have a very vivid fantasy that they'd prefer to experience in real life and spend a large portion of their life seeking a way to make it happen. Many of the people who post here have been in that group of people and many of them have actually realized their fantasies. If you are lucky enough to be one of those people you know the feeling it gives you...the satisfaction, the feeling of accomplishment and a much better understanding of your desires. You become very much aware of your sexual self.

The article mentioned rare fantasies and more common fantasies. One that was listed as rare was a man wanting to be with another man, or maybe two men. While that might be a rare fantasy of a heterosexual man, it would be very common fantasy of a homosexual man, or maybe someone who is struggling with his homosexual desires. And some of these fantasies might not be just fantasies if it wasn't for our society's phobias about homosexuality. Many gay and lesbian fantasies remain fantasies just because there is a fear of being "outed" for those desires.

Pent up sexual desires can be harmful, in my opinion. They must be realized in some way. Sexual tension must be released. If not in a real experience, through masturbation. We are much healthier when we can satisfy our sexual desires in some way. I believe pent up sexual desires in extreme cases can even lead to social and emotional issues and even personality changes.

The subconscious mind can twist thoughts into actions and in rare cases, some will turn to illegal and sometimes violent acts to satisfy their urges. These are what I'd classify as sick minds. People who have been denied more healthy ways of satisfaction. Society's morals and life's experiences mixed with sexual desire cause chemical changes in their brain, leading them to act the way they do. In many areas of the world, legalized prostitution is seen as a healthy release for those who desire or need it. Sex workers can often be a kind of Psychiatrist for someone. Sometimes, a prostitute can understand better than a trained doctor can.

Felix_Jones said:

Yes, every sexual fantasy involves being desired.

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Nope, not every one. Some people fantasize about just the opposite. Being ignored, being humiliated with being ignored, some people get off on being told they are ugly and not worth ever being fucked.

This was an interesting article but it should have provided a table with all the data. As it is currently it's a bit of a tease. We get some vague idea that fantasies are normal, but not specifically what and at what level other than the obvious.

Wynfield said:

This was an interesting article but it should have provided a table with all the data. As it is currently it's a bit of a tease. We get some vague idea that fantasies are normal, but not specifically what and at what level other than the obvious.

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Looks like the original journal article has tables, but you'd have to pay $6+ to view.