The purpose of this paper is to provide a summary and critique of an article by Leitenberg and Henning (1995) on sexual fantasies. The presented summary and critique covers the article's abstract, its stated purposes, its methods, and its discussion and conclusions. The paper ends with a description of a study that addresses one of the important questions about sexual fantasies that was raised in the article.
Leitenberg and Henning's (1995) abstract states that the article is a review of the theory and research on sexual fantasy and delineates the basic areas of the research covered in the review (e.g. theories of sexual fantasy, deviant sexual fantasies, etc.) It is also noted in the abstract that the presented review ends with a summary of major findings, a series of conclusions, and a formulation of suggestions for future research. Although the abstract is brief, it presents a well-written and concise summary of the article's primary purpose and basic dimensions.
The article's general purpose is stated to be a review of literature compiled and examined in order to better understand the nature of sexual fantasies and the role they play in both arousal and dysfunction. The purpose is clearly stated and, moreover, the purpose statement is accompanied by a discussion of several reasons why a comprehensive review of this research is significant and needed.
Each of the reasons provided as to why the article is important and needed is supported with numerous citations to reputable journal articles. In addition, the writing style is clear and concise. Indeed, the introductory section involving the purpose or objectives of the article is excellent.
Another element of the article that adds depth to the presented review of literature and subsequent analysis and discussion is a section prior to the main body of the review that delineates problematic areas with the methods and procedures used in studies of sexual fantasie...