Corporal punishment (spanking, whipping, caning etc.) is a frequent theme in erotic literature. I can still remember reading "The Story of O" when I was 14 and getting aroused. But what exactly causes the erotic sensation? Is it purely the pain? The fact that the subjects buttocks and genitals are exposed? Is it the domination/submission aspect? The fact that the person being spanked or whipped sometimes becomes aroused?
Why is corporal punishment erotic?
- Thread starter bigpaddle
- Start date
D_Lynn
Really Really Experienced
- Joined
- Apr 8, 2011
- Posts
- 423
Your question would probably be better answered in the BDSM forum section.
There are both physiological explanations and psychological ones.
The physiological reasons are easier to explain. In short, fear, humiliation, and pain all invoke neurotransmitters, like adrenalin, endorphins, and consequently, dopamine, which can translate to pleasure sensations. Even if you aren't actively engaged, just reading about them can produce similar effects.
Psychologically, there are a number of explanations. These vary greatly by individual. One person might get off on D/s, while someone else might get off more from the power exchange, the lack of control, the humiliation, or the more nurturing aspects of the exchange. I think this is very personal and can stem from just about anything.
I happen to believe, personally, that some of our responses to this type of play are very primal/animalistic/visceral in nature. That we are hard-wired a particular way and we respond to one another based on that. This is no different than in the rest of the animal world, by the way. On the extremes, you have Dominant and submissive, and varying levels in between. Many studies have been done by introducing a submissive animal to a Dominant one of the same species, and measuring the sexual response and dopamine release of the submissive.
Interesting, consistent results.
Similar threads
