Icarianism, Masochism, and Sex Differences in Fantasy

Abstract

Summary May's theory that the female fantasy pattern is masochistic and moves from deprivation to enhancement, while the male fantasy pattern is Icarian and moves in the opposite direction, is critically reviewed. His study was replicated using 12 Icarian male, 12 non-Icarian male, and 12 sadomasochistic female Ss, 8 TAT cards, and a different scoring system in addition to May's. Results failed to support May's conclusions that a) males fantasy abrupt failure more than females, b) females fantasy resurgence after failure more than males, or c) either male or female fantasies regularly move in the directions predicted. It is concluded that May's findings were produced by specific stimulus effects rather than being characteristic of spontaneous fantasy.

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