It’s often seen as a taboo subject. But a new study is finally lifting the lid on sexual fantasies – and what they might say about you.
Scientists from Michigan State University analysed the frequency and variety of more than 5,000 people’s sexual fantasies. Their results revealed surprising associations between the participants’ deepest desires and their personality traits.
If you experience frequent sexual fantasies, you probably have a more neurotic personality, or may suffer from some form of dissatisfaction that leads to certain depressions, according to the study.
In contrast, if you rarely find your mind wandering, you’re more likely to be relatively conscientious or agreeable.
It is however important to also note that having a very active sexual fantasies level may also be as a result of being a very sexual being and having a very imaginative mind towards sexual excitement & satisfaction.
Sexual fantasies are rarely discussed, largely due to the stigma and embarrassment surrounding them. As a result, there has been little research to examine how common they are, who is most likely to have them, and if the types of fantasies vary.
To get to the bottom of it, the researchers enlisted 5,225 adults, who were quizzed about the nature and frequency of their sexual fantasies.
Broadly, the fantasies could be placed into four main categories – exploratory sexual fantasies (for example, participating in an orgy), intimate sexual fantasies (e.g. making love outdoors in a romantic setting), impersonal sexual fantasies (e.g. watching others have sex), and sadomasochistic sexual fantasies (e.g. being forced to do something).
The participants also completed surveys to assess their levels of the ‘Big Five’ personality traits: openness, conscientiousness, extraversion, agreeableness, and neuroticism.
An analysis of the results revealed a link between some of the personality traits and sexual fantasies.
Participants who scored high in conscientiousness and agreeableness were found to report less frequent sexual fantasizing across all four categories.
‘Agreeableness and conscientiousness are associated with norm endorsement, harm prevention, and traditionalism,’ the researchers explained in their study, published in PLOS One.
‘Thus, it seems reasonable to assume that they might be less likely to engage in fantasies that are non-traditional, breach social norms, or simulate consensual aggression.’
Meanwhile, people with a high neuroticism score – in particular those with more depressive personalities – reported more frequent sexual fantasies.
The researchers hope the findings will support ‘more informed, sex-positive conversations’.
The study comes shortly after researchers from Indiana University Bloomington uncovered what people enjoy most about sex. A survey of more than 4,000 people revealed 22 main reasons, ranging from ‘kink and pain’ to ‘children and procreation’.
While you might think that ‘orgasm’ would top the list, surprisingly, this wasn’t the case. Instead, the number one thing that people said they love about sex is closeness/intimacy, according to the study.
‘Intimacy-related responses were the most prevalent,’ the researchers wrote in their study, published in the Journal of Sex & Marital Therapy.
The 4 main types of sexual fantasy
Exploratory sexual fantasies (for example, participating in an orgy)
Intimate sexual fantasies (e.g. making love outdoors in a romantic setting)
Impersonal sexual fantasies (e.g. watching others have sex)
Sadomasochistic sexual fantasies (e.g. being forced to do something)
What people love the most about sex
Closeness/intimacy
Specific sex acts
Feels good
Pleasing partner
Love/caring
Orgasm
Arousal/excitement
Calming
Desire/passion
Enlivening
Fun/adventure
Thrill/rush
Novelty
Feeling alive
Bodies and primal urges
Trust
Celibacy
Post-sex
Kink and pain
Fantasy/imagination
Children and procreation
