Abstract
This study evaluated explanations of rape fantasy in a sample of female undergraduates (N = 355) using a sexual fantasy checklist which included eight types of rape fantasy, participants’ detailed descriptions of
a rape fantasy they have had, a rape fantasy scenario audio presentation, and measures of personality. Three explanations
of rape fantasy were tested: openness to sexual experience, sexual desirability, and sexual blame avoidance. Women who were
higher in erotophilia and self-esteem and who had more frequent consensual sexual fantasies and more frequent desirability
fantasies, particularly of performing as a stripper, had more frequent rape fantasies. Women who were higher in erotophilia,
openness to fantasy, desirability fantasies, and self-esteem reported greater sexual arousal to rape fantasies. Sexual blame
avoidance theory was not supported; sexual desirability theory was moderately supported; openness to sexual experience theory
received the strongest support.
a rape fantasy they have had, a rape fantasy scenario audio presentation, and measures of personality. Three explanations
of rape fantasy were tested: openness to sexual experience, sexual desirability, and sexual blame avoidance. Women who were
higher in erotophilia and self-esteem and who had more frequent consensual sexual fantasies and more frequent desirability
fantasies, particularly of performing as a stripper, had more frequent rape fantasies. Women who were higher in erotophilia,
openness to fantasy, desirability fantasies, and self-esteem reported greater sexual arousal to rape fantasies. Sexual blame
avoidance theory was not supported; sexual desirability theory was moderately supported; openness to sexual experience theory
received the strongest support.
- Content Type Journal Article
- Category Original Paper
- Pages 1-13
- DOI 10.1007/s10508-012-9934-6
- Authors
- Jenny M. Bivona, Department of Psychology, University of North Texas, 1155 Union Circle, #311280, Denton, TX 76203-5017, USA
- Joseph W. Critelli, Department of Psychology, University of North Texas, 1155 Union Circle, #311280, Denton, TX 76203-5017, USA
- Michael J. Clark, Center for Social Research, University of Notre Dame, Notre Dame, IN, USA
- Journal Archives of Sexual Behavior
- Online ISSN 1573-2800
- Print ISSN 0004-0002