Women's Finger Sensitivity Correlates with Partnered Sexual Behavior But Not Solitary Masturbation Frequencies

Abstract

In a sample of 97 healthy Dutch female university students, women with greater finger tactile sensitivity (von Frey-type filaments) engaged more in partnered (but not solitary masturbation) sexual behavior. Orgasmic responses in the past 30 days were not correlated with finger sensitivity. Results are discussed in terms of differences between different sexual behaviors, as well as susceptibility to reinforcement, and psychoanalytic views of conversion hysteria.

Travel costs of Professor Brody were covered in part by a grant from the Carnegie Trust for the Universities of Scotland. Professor Hess was supported by a visiting scholar grant from the University of Amsterdam. The authors appreciate the assistance of Candice Lowdermilk in data collection.