Understanding Gender Differences in the Association Between Empathy and Sexual Fantasies

Anna Chungath Sebastian

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Correlational Study

| Published: March 31, 2025

Understanding Gender Differences in the Association Between Empathy and Sexual Fantasies

Anna Chungath Sebastian

Student, Christ University, Kerala, India Google Scholar More about the auther

DIP: 18.01.331.20251301

DOI: 10.25215/1301.331

ABSTRACT

This study examined the association between empathy and sexual fantasies, with a focus on potential gender differences, among young adults in India. A sample of 120 university students and graduates (60 female, 60 male) participated, recruited through purposive sampling. Measures included the Wilson Sex Fantasy Questionnaire (WSFQ) and the Interpersonal Reactivity Index (IRI). The data were collected using Google Forms. Data analysis involved descriptive statistics, correlational analysis, and the use of Jamovi software. The results help gain an understanding of the possible gender differences and correlations between empathy and sexual fantasies. The findings of this study can provide insight into the psychological processes that underlie the development and manifestation of sexual impulses in people.

Keywords

Fantasy, Sadomasochism, Empathetic Concern, Gender difference

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This is an Open Access Research distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution License (www.creativecommons.org/licenses/by/2.0), which permits unrestricted use, distribution, and reproduction in any Medium, provided the original work is properly cited.

How to cite this article: Sebastian, A.C. (2025). Understanding Gender Differences in the Association Between Empathy and Sexual Fantasies. International Journal of Indian Psychology, 13(1), 3388-3395. DIP:18.01.331.20251301, DOI:10.25215/1301.331