The Target x Behavior Interaction Within Sexual Fantasies

The present research investigated whether the behaviors that people sexually fantasize about differ depending on the person they fantasize about. Study 1 (N = 112) compared behavior-based fantasies involving a current sexual partner and a crush in British and Italian participants. A significant interaction between Fantasy Target, Fantasy Behavior, and Nationality was found on the frequency of sexual fantasizing. Study 2 (N = 181) compared a current sexual partner, a crush, and an anonymous stranger, as well as the effect of masturbation. A significant Fantasy Target x Fantasy Behavior interaction was found. Studies 1 and 2 also revealed a concordance between fantasy use and the motivation to enact the fantasy. Study 3 examined whether the use of behavior-based fantasies differed depending on whether it involved a child target versus an adult target in people attracted to children (N = 77). A significant Target x Behavior interaction was found. Also, romantic fantasies involving a child correlated with offense-supportive beliefs and emotional congruence with children. Overall, the results support the importance of separating behavior and target when assessing sexual fantasy use. Limitations include the use of primarily white/Western samples and social desirability. Implications and future research are discussed.