Week 8: Erotica/Pornography & Sexual Fantasy

Sexual fantasies tend to decline with age. 

True

Sexual fantasies have become much more violent and focused on themes of submission and dominance in the last 50 years

False

The study by Anzani and Prunas (2020) on the content of cisgender (men and women) and nonbinary participants' sexual fantasies demonstrated that there is [ Select ] overlap among the three groups, that dominance and control fantasies are about equal across all three groups, and that cisgender men are [ Select ] likely to fantasize about group sex than nonbinary participants and cisgender women.

Same, Dominance & control, More

Kimberley (2025) studied whether people disclosed or concealed their fantasies and how their partner reacted, or how they anticipated they would react in the case of concealed fantasies. What can we conclude from their research?

Telling your partner about your fantasies is usually met with favourable reactions, and much less negative than you might have predicted.

What are sexual fantasies defined as in the context of intra-psychic scripts?

They are mental imagery that is sexually arousing, serving as a core component of intra-psychic scripts. They can range from fleeting images to elaborate stories and can influence sexual responsiveness by either enhancing or inhibiting it.

According to the lecture, what are the three ranges of sexual fantasy and daydreaming?

1. Realistic and desired: Something that could actually happen and is truly wanted (e.g., a threesome).

2. Unrealistic/unlikely, but desired: Daydreams that are unlikely to happen but would be great if they did (e.g., being famous).

3. Unrealistic/unlikely, and NOT desired: Scenarios that are sexually arousing to imagine but the person has no desire to experience in reality (e.g., a rape fantasy).

What is the typical age of onset for sexual fantasies, and how do they change with age?

Onset typically occurs at age 11-13. Men generally start having them earlier and more regularly than women. While the frequency of fantasies tends to decline with age (Younger > Older), the content remains remarkably stable with no evidence of change over the past 50 years.

Match the term to the definition:

1. Erotophobia

2. Erotophilia

1. Erotophobia: A sense of disgust about sex or sexual intimacy; a fear of sex associated with fewer fantasies and more sexual problems.

2. Erotophilia: High openness towards sex with positive feelings and a higher likelihood of frequent fantasizing.

According to Anzani and Prunas (2020), how did non-binary participants compare to cisgender participants regarding fantasy content?

• Similarities: There was no difference in fantasies involving dominance, control, forcing, or humiliating across groups.

• Differences: Non-binary participants reported fewer fantasies about kinks and older partners compared to cisgender men and women.

What were the findings of Hicks and Leitenberg (2001) regarding Extradyadic (ED) fantasies?

• Prevalence: 87\% of people had ED fantasies in the past 2 months.

• Gender Difference: Men were 11x more likely to have ED fantasies than women, even after controlling for relationship length and past cheating.

• Partner Focus: Women are more likely to fantasize about their current partner than men.

How do men and women differ in their perceptions of a partner's Extradyadic (ED) fantasies according to Yarab et al. (1999)?

• Perceived Unfaithfulness: No gender difference; both see it as equally unfaithful.

• Jealousy: Women report higher levels of jealousy. This may be because men's higher frequency of ED fantasies leads them to view them as "not real" or harmless, whereas women may perceive them as a threat to attachment.

Why is the term 'ravishment fantasies' sometimes preferred over 'rape fantasies'?

Because in these fantasies, the individual (often women) is the object of intense desire and remains in complete control of the mental imagery. It characterizes the man as so attracted that he 'cannot help himself,' and crucially, the individual has zero desire to be assaulted in real life.

What are the primary motivations for disclosing vs. concealing sexual fantasies? (Kimberly et al., 2025)

• Motivation to Disclose: Mostly for sexual gratification (to help the partner 'get off') or as part of normal communication.

• Motivation to Conceal: Primarily due to the content of the fantasy (fearing judgment or lack of interest) or a perceived lack of trust/readiness in the relationship.

What is the difference between Pornography and Erotica?

• Pornography: Sexually explicit material intended to be sexually arousing; may sometimes include violence or dehumanizing themes.

• Erotica: Works of art (literature, film, sculpture) that deal substantively with erotically stimulating descriptions, derived from the Greek word eros (love).

True or False: According to the daily diary study by Vaillantcourt-Morel (2020), women's porn use is associated with higher sexual desire for both themselves and their partners.

True. On days that women use porn, they felt more desire, and their partners also felt higher desire and were more likely to engage in partnered sexual activity.

What were the results of Zillman & Bryant’s (1998) experimental study on prolonged porn exposure (1 hour/week for 6 weeks)?

Participants reported reduced satisfaction with their partner's appearance, sexual performance, and affection. This is often attributed to the 'social comparison' effect where the partner is unfavorably compared to pre-selected actors.

Which group reports the highest sexual satisfaction in correlational studies of porn use?

Couples who engage in joint use of pornography report the highest sexual satisfaction compared to solitary users or non-users.

How do sensory cues and spontaneous thoughts play a role in sexual fantasies?

Fantasies can occur spontaneously or be triggered by sensory cues, feelings, or other thoughts. They can happen in any setting, such as while working or driving, not just during sexual activity.

Distinguish between fleeting and elaborate sexual fantasies.

• Fleeting: Momentary, brief images or thoughts of romantic or sexual activity.

• Elaborate: Well thought-through, detailed stories that an individual may return to repeatedly.

What is the primary motivation for fantasizing during masturbation or daydreaming for most people?

The vast majority of people report that they fantasize specifically to achieve or enhance a sense of arousal.

Why are convenience samples a challenge in sexual fantasy research?

Most research relies on young college students, which lacks representation for different age groups, diverse cultures, and non-heterosexual populations.

How does selection bias affect research on sexual fantasies?

Individuals who volunteer for sex research tend to be more sex-positive than the general population, which may skew the data towards more positive or frequent fantasy reports.

What are the two main types of response bias in fantasy research?

1. Honesty/Comfort: Participants may feel guilty or think their fantasies are socially problematic, leading them to hide the truth.

2. Memory: People may not accurately remember their fantasies, though daily diary methods can help mitigate this.

Explain the limitation of cross-sectional research in studying sexual fantasies.

It only shows associations at a single point in time, making it difficult to determine causality or the long-term outcomes of engaging in specific types of fantasies.

Approximately what percentage of people feel guilt about their sexual fantasies, and why?

About 25\% of people feel guilt, often due to norm perception—the belief that their fantasies are immoral, socially unacceptable, or abnormal.

How does frequent fantasizing correlate with sexual activity level?

Fantasies do not typically occur to compensate for a lack of sex; instead, more frequent fantasizing is associated with higher sexual frequency, desire, and experience.

For women, how can sexual fantasy serve as a psychological outlet?

It provides a space to explore sexual acts that may be less socially acceptable or common in reality, such as BDSM, group sex, or dominance/submission, free from societal restraint.

Beyond arousal, what non-sexual psychological needs can fantasies satisfy?

They can be used for escape, dealing with stress or boredom, and creating a sense of closeness or feeling desired by another person.

What were the sample characteristics of the Anzani & Prunas (2020) study?

It involved nearly 300 community participants in Italy, with an average age of 27 (range 18-58), including cisgender men, cisgender women, and non-binary individuals.

What did Anzani & Prunas (2020) discover regarding dominance and control fantasies across gender groups?

They found a similar degree of dominance and control fantasies across all three groups (cis-men, cis-women, and non-binary), suggesting these scripts are relatively universal.

How do non-binary participants differ from cisgender participants regarding fantasies about older partners?

Non-binary participants reported significantly fewer fantasies involving older partners compared to both cisgender men and women.

What are Extradyadic (ED) fantasies?

Fantasies about someone other than a current romantic or sexual partner, including past partners, celebrities, strangers, or imaginary people.

Contrast the partner focus of fantasies between men and women according to Hicks & Leitenberg (2001).

• Women: More likely to fantasize about their current partner than anyone else.

• Men: Equally likely to fantasize about their current partner as they are to fantasize about someone else.

Which factors predict a higher likelihood of Extradyadic (ED) fantasies for women only?

A history of cheating and a higher number of prior sexual partners.

How common are submission or force fantasies among women?

They are relatively common (40\%+). For women who fantasize frequently, these types of fantasies often rank in the top 3.

What is the 'Double Standard' in research regarding male and female rape fantasies?

Women's rape fantasies are generally viewed as positive or harmless ('ravishment'), whereas men's fantasies of raping women are often pathologized as indicators of criminal intent.

Summarize the findings of Zurbriggen & Yost (2004) on dominance and submission.

Women are much more likely to have submission fantasies than dominance ones, while men are likely to report both types.

What was the participant profile for Kimberly et al.'s (2025) Reddit-based study?

Approximately 300 participants (50\% men); 47\% heterosexual, 37\% bisexual, and 7\% non-binary, primarily from the US and UK.

In Kimberly et al. (2025), what was the most common type of fantasy reported?

Fantasies about power and control/rough sex, followed by group sex/novelty and passion/romantic fantasies.

How does internalized stigma affect fantasy disclosure?

About half of those who concealed fantasies did so because they expected a negative reaction, incorrectly assuming their partner would think they needed therapy or would judge them.

Explain the Instrumental vs. Expressive pathways for bolstering sexual satisfaction through disclosure.

• Instrumental: Achieving a specific goal (e.g., actually having the threesome you fantasized about).

• Expressive/Affective: Increasing intimacy and self-expansion simply by sharing private aspects of one's identity.

What were the findings of Birnbaum's (2018) daily diary studies?

Reports of dyadic fantasies (fantasies about the partner) on one day predicted higher desire and relationship-promoting behaviors on the following day.

Compare 'ever' vs. 'regular' pornography use in men.

• Ever: 95\%+ of men.

• Regular: 50-75\% of men (3-4 times per month).

How does the context and medium of pornography use differ between men and women?

• Men: More likely to use porn in a solitary context for entertainment/masturbation.

• Women: More likely to use it in a couple context or choose different materials like erotic novels.

Which unique factor predicts regular pornography use in men but not women?

Depression is a predictor for men; for women, a high sex drive and earlier sexual onset are primary predictors.

Distinguish between Benevolent and Hostile sexism in relation to porn use.

• Benevolent: Belief that women should be protected/looked after (keeps them subordinate).

• Hostile: Outwardly aggressive/antagonistic views towards women.

• Both are positively correlated with porn use in correlational studies.

What is the 'Social Comparison' effect in porn consumption?

The tendency to compare a real-life partner's appearance or performance unfavorably to the pre-selected, professional actors seen in pornography.

According to Kohut et al. (2017), what was the modal response regarding porn's effect on relationships?

The most common (modal) response was that pornography had no negative effects on the relationship.

What are the common perceived negative effects of porn in Kohut's (2017) study?

Unrealistic expectations of appearance/behavior, decreased interest in sex, and personal insecurity/body image issues.

Why is men's porn use often linked to lower satisfaction for female partners but not vice versa?

Women may perceive a partner's porn use as a threat to attachment or a trigger for social comparison/anxiety. Men are more likely to be aroused or excited by their partner's use of porn.

What did Muusses et al. (2015) conclude about SEIM use in newlyweds?

Sexually Explicit Internet Material (SEIM) did not predict declines in sexual satisfaction over 1.5 years, showing that cross-sectional negative links often don't hold up over time.

What gender differences did Vaillancourt-Morel (2020) find regarding partner desire?

• Women's use: Increased their own and their partner's desire.

• Men's use: Associated with lower sexual desire in their female partners (in mixed-sex relationships).

How did porn use impact men in Same-Sex (SS) vs. Mixed-Sex (MS) relationships?

• SS Relationships: Porn use was linked to more partnered sexual activity.

• MS Relationships: Porn use was linked to lower partnered sexual activity.

What were the limitations of the Zillman & Bryant (1998) experimental study?

Participants were in short-term relationships, viewed pre-selected videos at fixed times, and the timeframe (6 weeks) may have been too short to capture realistic long-term habits.

Does exposure to pornography directly cause sexual aggression?

Evidence is inconsistent. Effects are usually small, temporary, and may only occur in individuals with a pre-existing risk or through general disinhibition.

How does the presence of nudity alone (without explicit sex) affect aggression levels in labs?

Experimental research shows that exposure to nudity alone actually decreases aggression.

What is the 'bottom line' regarding the effect of pornography on relationships?

Effects are generally small and equivocal. While some studies show negative comparisons, others show it facilitates communication, curiosity, and an alternative outlet when desires are discrepant.

What are the three specific questions addressed by intra-psychic scripts in sexual fantasies?

1. What turns you on?

2. What kinds of sexual acts would you like to engage in?

3. Who would you like to engage in them with?

How do fleeting fantasies differ from elaborate ones?

Fleeting fantasies are momentary thoughts or brief images of romantic/sexual activity (memories or imaginary), whereas elaborate fantasies are well-thought-through, detailed stories an individual returns to repeatedly.

In what settings can sexual fantasies occur, according to the lecture?

Fantasies can occur in any situation, including while working, driving, during masturbation, or during sexual activity with a partner.

Define the Realistic and Desired range of sexual fantasy.

Scenarios that could actually happen in the real world and that the individual sincerely wants to occur (e.g., wanting a threesome in a current relationship).

Define the Unrealistic/Unlikely but Desired range of sexual fantasy.

Daydream-like fantasies that are highly unlikely to happen but would be considered 'great' if they did (e.g., winning the lottery or being famous).

What is the typical age of onset for sexual fantasies?

11 - 13 years old (though the lecture notes there is no specific information on children's fantasies).

True or False: There is strong evidence that the content of sexual fantasies has changed significantly over the last 50 years.

False. Research suggests the content remains remarkably stable; people have fantasized about the same kinds of things for decades.

Why is cross-cultural representation a challenge in fantasy research?

There is a lack of large representative samples from diverse cultures, meaning findings may not apply globally beyond Western, educated populations.

How do checklists compare to qualitative methods in fantasy research?

• Checklists: Efficient for coding common fantasies but can be constraining.

• Qualitative: Involves coding open-ended descriptions or written accounts, which reveals more personal themes but is harder to compare across studies.

What is the relationship between guilt and sexual problems?

Approximately 25\% of people feel guilty about their fantasies; this guilt is associated with more sexual problems and a lower frequency of fantasizing.

How does norm perception contribute to fantasy-related guilt?

People often feel guilty because they incorrectly believe their fantasies are immoral, abnormal, or uncommon, rather than realizing many people share similar desires.

Define Erotophilia and its correlation to fantasy.

Erotophilia is a high openness and positive feeling toward sex; individuals with high erotophilia are much more likely to fantasize frequently and use fantasies to enhance arousal.

Besides arousal, what are the three situational motivations for sexual fantasy mentioned in the lecture?

1. Escape

2. Dealing with stress

3. Relieving boredom

Explain the non-sexual psychological needs that fantasies might satisfy.

They can create a subjective sense of closeness, intimacy, or the feeling of being desired/needed by another person.

What was the purpose of the study by Anzani and Prunas (2020)?

To explore the content of sexual fantasies and determine how they differ across cisgender women, cisgender men, and non-binary individuals.

In the Anzani & Prunas (2020) 'heat map,' what did red and blue represent?

• Red: Frequent endorsement (fantasy happens often).

• Blue: Infrequent endorsement (fantasy happens rarely).

How did non-binary participants compare to cisgender groups regarding dominance and control fantasies?

There was no difference; non-binary, cisgender men, and cisgender women all endorsed dominance and control/forcing fantasies at similar rates.

According to Hicks and Leitenberg (2001), who qualifies as an extradyadic (ED) fantasy partner?

Past partners, imaginary people, strangers (e.g., someone at a store), celebrities, co-workers, or potential future partners.

What were the specific sample characteristics in the Hicks & Leitenberg (2001) study?

Approximately 350 participants in heterosexual relationships averaging 10 years in length; women were around 30-31 years old and men were 36 years old.

True or False: Men are equally likely to fantasize about a current partner as they are a stranger.

True. Meanwhile, women are significantly more likely to fantasize about their current partner than anyone else.

In Yarab et al. (1999), what was the gender difference regarding 'Perceived Unfaithfulness' of fantasies?

There was no gender difference; both men and women perceived extradyadic fantasies as equally unfaithful.

Why might women report higher levels of jealousy regarding a partner's fantasies than men?

Men have ED fantasies more often and see them as 'not real,' whereas women have them less frequently and may view them as a threat to attachment or a sign of insecurity.

What are the two primary predictors of extradyadic fantasies?

1. Longer relationship length (for both genders).

2. History of cheating and a higher number of prior partners (for women only).

What are 'Ravishment' fantasies?

A preferred term for submission/force fantasies where the individual is the object of intense desire. The focus is on the partner being 'unable to help themselves' because the individual is so attractive.

What is the 'Double Standard' in research regarding male vs. female force fantasies?

Women's force fantasies are often seen as positive/benign, while men's fantasies of force are often pathologized as indicators of potential criminal intent or pathology.

How do men's fantasies of dominance/submission relate to their real-world scripts?

While men are often expected to lead in reality, many report desiring an egalitarian approach in fantasies, which includes both dominance and submission themes.

What were the coding categories for partner reactions in the Kimberly et al. (2025) study?

Reactions were coded as positive, negative, mixed, or neutral.

In Kimberly et al. (2025), what was the most common reason given for disclosing a fantasy?

Sexual gratification (e.g., trying to help the partner 'get off' or wanting to act the fantasy out).

What were the most common fantasies reported in the Kimberly et al. (2025) Reddit study?

1. Power and control/rough sex.

2. Group sex/novelty.

3. Passion/romantic fantasies.

Explain the Expressive/Affective pathway to sexual satisfaction.

A way of bolstering satisfaction by sharing private aspects of identity (likes/dislikes, BDSM interests, or orientation) to increase intimacy and self-disclosure.

Describe the Experimental portion of Birnbaum's (2018) research.

Participants were assigned to fantasize about either their partner or someone else, and then rated their desire for sex and relationship-promoting activities.

What were the lengths of the two Daily Diary Studies conducted by Birnbaum (2018)?

Study 1 lasted for 3 weeks; Study 2 lasted for 7 weeks.

How does the 'Ever' use of porn differ between men and women?

• Men: 95\%+

• Women: 75\%+

According to Newstrom & Harris (2016), what are the predictors of porn use in men?

Younger age, non-heterosexual orientation, less religious, single, fewer children, depression, lower commitment (if in a relationship), and higher relationship aggression.

How do predictors of porn use for women differ from those for men?

Women's use is predicted by high sex drive and earlier onset of sexual experiences, but notably, it is not predicted by depression.

According to Trasen & Daneback (2013), how often is porn used during masturbation?

50\% of the time for men (any orientation), 25\% for lesbian/bisexual women, and 12\% for heterosexual women.

List three positive perceived effects of porn on relationships according to Albright and Hald.

1. Individual outlet when desire is discrepant.

2. Facilitates arousal.

3. Broadens sexual scripts and provides new ideas for experimentation.

What did Wright & Tokunaga (2018) find regarding women who believe their partners consume porn?

They reported being less relationally and sexually satisfied, likely due to triggered anxiety and social comparisons.

Explain the finding from Muusses et al. (2015) regarding SEIM and women.

Women's use of Sexually Explicit Internet Material (SEIM) declined when their male partners were more sexually satisfied.

How is aggression measured in pornography lab experiments?

Using laboratory analogs, such as measuring the frequency and intensity of 'electric shocks' participants believe they are delivering to others.

What is a major limitation of using 'Produced Pornography' in research?

Most findings are specific to commercially available produced porn and may not translate to other forms of erotica, such as literature or art.