Fantasy and Sexual Arousal in College Women: An Empirical Investigation

Reports regarding response to intercourse were collected from fifty-six female undergraduates. These women also read three stories, one erotic, one romantic, and one containing a mixture of romantic and erotic components. Women rated their arousal and ability to visualize each story. They also reported the content of their fantasies in terms of romantic, erotic or mixed components, in four situations: daydreaming, foreplay, intercourse, and masturbation. It was hypothesized that women who reported a high percentage of intercourse related fantasies during masturbation would be more likely to experience orgasm during intercourse. This hypothesis was supported. Other predictions were not supported. Explanations for this pattern of results and future research are discussed.