College freshmen completed personality and imaginal scales, and a fantasy questionnaire. Factor analysis of questionnaire data revealed four patterns of patently sexual and two forms of non-sexual fantasies, and linked sexual masturbatory fantasies to sexual activity. Functional aspects were examined by asking subjects to read a collection of erotic stories and photographs. One third then generated a private sexual fantasy, another third read erotic stories. A control group read non-erotic stories. Sexual arousal was assessed by a brief checklist. Results showed that self-generated fantasy increased arousal more than sexually vivid stories which were more arousing than non-erotic stories. Discussion focused on elements of control in daydreaming and behavioral conditioning effects.
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