The relationship of the frequency of masturbation to several aspects of personality and behavior.

Abstract

The need for a psychological approach to masturbation is inherent throughout the literature (Kinsey, Pomeroy, and Martin, 1948; Kinsey, Pomeroy, Martin, and Gebhard, 1953; Hare, 1962; and Masters and Johnson, 1966). Kinsey et al. (1948) found that, for young men, masturbation provides a regular sexual outlet which alleviates nervous tensions. They also conclude that in many cases these young men lead more balanced lives than young men who are more sexually restrained. Although they emphasize the positive factors of masturbation, they also point out that more information is needed in regard to its effect on personality development and adjustment in view of their conclusion that masturbation is, to a degree, an escape from reality, and that its effect upon the ultimate personality of the individual is something that needs consideration (Kinsey et al., 1948). The importance of masturbation for sexual responsiveness in the female is evident in the fact that among all types of sexual activity, masturbation is the one by which the female most frequently reaches orgasm. In ninety-five per cent or more of all her masturbation, she reaches orgasm. It is the most specific and quickest means for achiev-ing orgasm (Kinsey et al., 1953). The effect of masturbation on sexual behavior is evident in the fact that masturbators (especially females) often tend to be more orgasmicand less frigid than non-masturbators (Ell is, 1 955) . Kinsey et al. (1953) conclude that the frequencies of masturbation provide a significant measure of the level of a female's interest in sexual activity. They have also found that most females masturbate for the sake of the immediate satisfactions they may obtain and as a means of resolving