Fantasy during Sexual Activity

Abstract

While the experiencing of sexual relations is generally thought to be a highly sensual and pleasurable act in itself, in reality—for all sorts of reasons, such as guilt feelings, fear, lack of desire, dislike of one’s mate, routinization, or ineptness of one’s mate—this is not always the case. Consequently, when the anticipation of a sexual act is considered as something of an ordeal or when it turns out to be unpleasant or disappointing, many men and women call upon their imagination or fantasy life to make the act more enjoyable and endurable. It should be noted, however, that a considerable number of people fantasize spontaneously during heightened states of exciting and enjoyable sexuality, without seeking consciously to enhance or sustain the act.