Women's Erotic Rape Fantasies: An Evaluation of Theory and Research

Joseph W. Critelli · Jenny M. Bivona

109 citations0/0 files storedThe Journal of Sex Research

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Sexual Assault and Victimization Studies Gender and Feminist Studies Sexuality, Behavior, and Technology

Abstract

This article is the first systematic review of the research literature on women's rape fantasies. Current research indicates that between 31% and 57% of women have fantasies in which they are forced into sex against their will, and for 9% to 17% of women these are a frequent or favorite fantasy experience. Erotic rape fantasies are paradoxical: they do not appear to make sense. Why would a person have an erotic and pleasurable fantasy about an event that, in real life, would be abhorrent and traumatic? In this article, the major theories of women's rape fantasies are evaluated both rationally and empirically. These theories explain rape fantasies in terms of masochism, sexual blame avoidance, openness to sexuality, sexual desirability, male rape culture, biological predisposition to surrender, sympathetic physiological activation, and adversary transformation. This article evaluates theory and research, makes provisional judgments as to which theories appear to be most viable, and begins the task of theoretical integration to arrive at a more complete and internally consistent explanation for why many women engage in erotic rape fantasies. Methodological critiques and programs for future research are presented throughout.

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References

1935New Introductory Lectures on Psycho-Analysis.1995The social organization of sexuality: sexual practices in the United States 1999Statistical methods in psychology journals: Guidelines and explanations.1976Against Our Will. Men, Women and Rape 1978Against Our Will: Men, Women and Rape 1954Sexual Behavior in the Human Female 1997The Social Organization of Sexuality. Sexual Practices in the United States 1974Some evidence for heightened sexual attraction under conditions of high anxiety.

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2020The Prevalence of Paraphilic Interests in the Czech Population: Preference, Arousal, the Use of Pornography, Fantasy, and Behavior 2016Sexual Fantasy and Masturbation Among Asexual Individuals: An In-Depth Exploration 2017An Empirical Exploration Into the Measurement of Rape Culture 2013The Psychology of Human Sexuality 2010The DSM Diagnostic Criteria for Sexual Masochism 2009The Nature of Women's Rape Fantasies: An Analysis of Prevalence, Frequency, and Contents

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