title: Self-reported frequency of sexual urges, fantasies, and masturbatory fantasies in heterosexual males and females.
abstract: The frequency of sexual imagery outside of sexual behavior was assessed. In addition, an attempt was made to determine the viability of a distinction between internally generated sexual thoughts (fantasy) and externally provoked sexual thoughts (urge). After a 3-day practice period, 49 male and 47 female heterosexual undergraduates self-monitored the frequency of fantasies, urges, and masturbatory fantasies for 7 consecutive days. The most significant finding was that men reported a significantly greater frequency of sexual urges and masturbatory fantasies than women. No gender differences emerged with respect to fantasies. These findings suggest that a distinction between internally and externally generated sexual imagery is viable and may be useful in future studies examining the frequency, functions, and determinants of sexual imagery.
authors.affiliation: Department of Psychology, State University of New York, Albany.
authors.forename: J C
authors.initials: JC
authors.lastname: Jones
authors.forename: D H
authors.initials: DH
authors.lastname: Barlow
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D016009:Chi-Square Distribution; D004328:Drive; D005201:Fantasy; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008418:Masturbation; D012737:Sex Factors; D012725:Sexual Behavior