FRHD 2100 Chapter 8: UNIT 8 CHAPTER 8
1 Jun 2018
School
Department
Course
Professor
FRHD*2100 (DE) Chapter 8
Chapter 8: Sexual Behaviours and Fantasies
Sexual Behaviours and Fantasy
• There is significant variation in human sexual expression.
• Biology is not destiny.
• Cultural expectations, personal values, and individual experience determine sexual
behaviour.
Solitary Sexual Behaviour
• Sexual Fantasy
– Definition: mental imagery that’s sexually arousing or erotic
– Can be planned or spontaneous, without conscious effort.
– Can be experienced alone, to heighten sexual excitement with partner, or both.
– Research indicates sexual fantasies are common; most consider it acceptable.
– Can heighten arousal during sexual activity with a partner.
• Sexual Fantasy—Context
– Men report engaging in more sexual fantasies compared to women, but women have
them also.
– Fantasies more common in heterosexual relationships.
– Women report more frequent and various fantasies during ovulation.
– Sex drive levels are related to the frequency of sexual fantasy.
– There is no connection between having fantasies during partnered sex and
masturbation with one’s relationship.
– Women in relationships are more likely to fantasize about past relationships.
– Men are more likely to fantasize about forcing women into sexual activity, women are
more likely to fantasize about being forced –though this doesn’t mean either gender
really wants to participate in this activity.
– Fantasies during partnered sex include a variety of activities/situations:
- Making love to another partner
- Group sex
- Orgies
- Special erotic experiences
– Heterosexual men: Are more likely to fantasize about women
– Gay men: Are more likely to fantasize about men.
– Heterosexual and lesbian women: Are more flexible in gender of objects in their
fantasies.
FRHD*2100 (DE) Chapter 8
– Sadistic rape fantasies
• Men with these fantasies more likely to be socially isolated and emotionally
unstable.
• The extent to which these fantasies contribute to crimes remains unclear.
• Professionals sometimes work with men to change these fantasies.
• However, fantasizing does not mean that the fantasizers want these events to
occur.
• LGB Fantasy
– Survey of lesbian and bisexual women suggested that the happier they were in their
relationships, the more likely they were to fantasize about common activities wit
their partner.
– Study of gay and heterosexual men in India found heterosexual men’s fantasies to be
more limited while gay men fantasized about a wider range of sexual behaviour.
• Theoretical Perspectives on Sexual Fantasy
– Evolutionary theorists propose that men and women fantasize about partners and
behaviours that would enhance reproductive success.
• Men – pass their genes on.
• Women – greater genetic investments.
– Others say sexual fantasies are a reflection of traditional sexual scripts and gender
roles.
• Sexual Dreams
– Limited research, however, one study conducted at Trent University and UBC:
• Sexual dreams appear to be common among university students.
• Most rated the dreams as pleasurable as having sexual intercourse.
• Most common sexual dream activities were kissing and sexual intercourse.
• Most dreamed about behaviours they had engaged in with partners.
• Masturbation in History
– Within the Judeo-Christian tradition, self-stimulation has been strongly condemned as
sinful.
– These views were carried into medicine in the 18th century.
• Corn Flakes were invented by the Kellogg brothers to control sexual desire
– During the mid-19th century, parents were encouraged to take steps to prevent
children’s masturbation.
• Masturbation Today
– Surveys indicate that most people masturbate at some time.
• Population-based sexual health survey of men and women in the U.S.
(Herbenick et al., 2010) suggests that masturbation occurs at least occasionally
FRHD*2100 (DE) Chapter 8
for 18-to 59 year-olds.
• Men masturbate more often than women; many women still report engaging
in masturbation.
• 40-to 59-year-old women masturbate more often than teenaged women.
– Surveys indicate that most people masturbate at some time.
• Men who had more partnered sex lower masturbation rates.
• Women who had more partnered sex higher masturbation rates.
• Men and women with same-gender partners more likely to masturbate than
men and women with other-gender partners.
• Frequency of masturbation increased with education.
Innovative Canadian Research
• The Depiction of Masturbation in North American Movies (Madanikia, Bartholomew, &
Cytrnbaum, 2013)
– Examined movies produced from 2005–2010, to identify common social norms
associated with masturbation.
• Characters were primarily single (84%); males (75%).
• Most were heterosexual (82%).
• In over half the scenes, the character was male and single.
• Most scenes were not depicted as pleasurable or satisfying.
• Masturbation scenes with female characters were depicted more positive.
Solitary Sexual Behaviour
• Male Masturbation Techniques
– Most men masturbate with manual manipulation of the penis.
• Gripping penile shaft with one hand, jerking it up and down in a milking
motion.
• Usually shift from a gentler rubbing action during the flaccid/semi-erect stage,
moving to a more vigorous milking motion once fully erect.
• Speeding up as orgasm approaches.
• At orgasm, grasping shaft tightly, avoiding the glans.
• May use lubricant (soapsuds, lotion, etc.).
• Female Masturbation Techniques
– Techniques vary widely, as do tempo and style.
• Most masturbate by massaging the mons, labia minora, and clitoral region with
circular or back-and-forth motions.
• May straddle the clitoris with their fingers, stroking shaft rather than glans.
• May pull or tug on vaginal lips.
• Many prefer stimulation of external parts of genitals, some prefer internal and
external stimulation.
Document Summary
Sexual behaviours and fantasy: there is significant variation in human sexual expression, biology is not destiny, cultural expectations, personal values, and individual experience determine sexual behaviour. Definition: mental imagery that"s sexually arousing or erotic. Can be planned or spontaneous, without conscious effort. Can be experienced alone, to heighten sexual excitement with partner, or both. Research indicates sexual fantasies are common; most consider it acceptable. Can heighten arousal during sexual activity with a partner. Men report engaging in more sexual fantasies compared to women, but women have. Women report more frequent and various fantasies during ovulation. Sex drive levels are related to the frequency of sexual fantasy. There is no connection between having fantasies during partnered sex and masturbation with one"s relationship. Women in relationships are more likely to fantasize about past relationships. Fantasies during partnered sex include a variety of activities/situations: Heterosexual men: are more likely to fantasize about women. Gay men: are more likely to fantasize about men.
