Why Do People Have Sexual Fantasies?
Our sex fantasies serve a wide range of psychological functions.
Posted August 2, 2018 | Reviewed by Lybi Ma
Why do we have sexual fantasies ? For many readers, the first thought that comes to mind is the enhancement of sexual arousal, or the experience of pleasure. However, those are among many varied reasons why someone might fantasize about sex.
Below, we will consider the most commonly reported reasons for having a sexual fantasy, according to a survey of 4,175 Americans. This survey formed the basis for my recent book, Tell Me What You Want : The Science of Sexual Desire and How It Can Help You Improve Your Sex Life .
From most to least common, here are the most popular reasons people reported having fantasies about sex:
A small number of participants (6.8 percent) reported reasons for fantasizing other than those listed above. These included:
Our sexual fantasies are about far more than simply experiencing pleasure or increasing arousal. They also serve a wide range of psychological functions. Notably, these include helping us meet unfulfilled needs, offering a handy source of comfort and distraction on command, and allowing us to mentally work through sexual scenarios before acting.
Facebook Image: GPointStudio/Shutterstock
Lehmiller, J. J. (2018). Tell Me What You Want: The Science of Sexual Desire and How It Can Help You Improve Your Sex Life. Boston, MA: Da Capo.
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Justin J. Lehmiller, Ph.D. , is a Research Fellow at The Kinsey Institute at Indiana University.
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This article is part of the Bringwise Psychology Journal — daily insights on human behavior, mental health, and personal growth.