Socially Dominant Women Enjoy Being Submissive in Bed, Say Scientists

An article in Psychology Today explores new research showing that socially-dominant females are more likely to be submissive in bed than other women.

Casual observers have long suspected that women who like to submit in the sack are looking to humiliated because they lack a sense of self-worth, among other incorrect assumptions. Matthew Hutson, Psychology Today's news editor, set out today to correct those myths:

But Hawley and Hensley write in their recent paper that "If these fantasies instead reflect a passionate exchange with a powerful, resource-holding, and attentive suitor, then through them the dominant woman could reinforce her high standing in the group and her favorable opinion of herself."

Participants answered questionnaires about what themes they read into erotic submission vignettes (masochism? emotional distance?). The most socially dominant women were more likely to interpret the scenarios as indicating that they were irresistible and personally powerful (the seducer "cannot help her/himself, I am as strong as s/he is and s/he must overcome me to have me"). Type A seeks same. For alpha females, apparently, submission is empowering.

There you have it: surrender is victory.

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