Descriptive Study of Practitioners of Sadomasochistic Sex An Empirical Examination of the Escape-From-Self Theory of Masochism

Kati Trese

Date of Award

2008

Document Type

Thesis

Degree Name

Bachelors

Department

Social Sciences

First Advisor

Barton, Michelle

Keywords

BDSM, Escape-From-Self, Sadism, Masochism, Baurmeister, Roy

Area of Concentration

Psychology

Abstract

The present study sought to provide empirical evidence for Baumeister�s (1998, 1997) escape-from-self theory of masochism. The theory predicts SM practitioners to display higher incomes, education, selfawareness, self-consciousness, and to have internal locus of control. The study also sought to find reasons as to why SM practitioners engage in this form of escape, and so included a measure of sex drive. The current study hypothesized that SM practitioners would display higher sex drives and thus give a plausible reason for their engagement in this form of escape. One hundred and twelve participants (63 males, 49 females) responded to posts on SM and non-SM internet groups and communities, completing a questionnaire measuring these variables. Analyses provided support for the hypotheses regarding sex drive, education, and self-awareness of participants. Support was not found for the other measures. The present study also compared masochists, sadists, and switches with each other on the same variables. The study found that differences do exist between the subsets of SM practitioners. In particular, the present study, found that sadists had the lowest scores on the self-awareness measure and thus asserted that sadists, unlike masochists who participate in SM practices to escape high levels of self-awareness, may be engaging in SM behavior to escape low levels of self-awareness. Implications of the current study are that each SM subset should be studied individually and that sex drive may serve as a plausible reason for SM practitioners to seek out SM as a method of escape in Baumeister�s (1988, 1997) escape-from-self theory of masochism.

Rights

This bibliographic record is available under the Creative Commons CC0 public domain dedication. The New College of Florida, as creator of this bibliographic record, has waived all rights to it worldwide under copyright law, including all related and neighboring rights, to the extent allowed by law.

This document is currently not available here.

Share

COinS