Introductory Phrases
The phenomenon of human beings having intense feelings about certain things they wish to experience but cannot due to social, practical, personal or political reasons has been observed since ancient times. It is believed that these feelings are expressed through daydreaming and visualization of scenarios that can never come true. This process acts as a way to release stress, anxiety and emotional burdens, thus making them more manageable. Researchers have suggested that fantasies serve multiple purposes for different people at different stages of life.
It is difficult to determine how much such activities help meet relational needs without proper empirical evidence. This paper will review existing research on the subject matter to shed light on its importance.
According to some studies, individuals who have unmet relationship needs tend to develop sexual fantasies involving their partners. These fantasies may include sexual encounters outside of marriage and other intimate relationships. Fantasizing about one's partner in this manner does not necessarily mean an individual is dissatisfied with their current relationship status. Rather, it provides a means by which they can explore alternative possibilities within their minds. Such mental exercises allow individuals to reframe their desires and expectations from others without necessarily acting upon them physically.
Imagining being single and independent allows married individuals to cope with the pressures of marriage. On the other hand, fantasy scenarios about being trapped in a cage provide victims of abuse a safe space where they can express anger, revenge and sadism while still remaining protected from harm.
There are other situations where fantasies do not act as safety valves. In cases where an individual has no or little control over their circumstances, these exercises may be counterproductive.
If an individual cannot satisfy certain desires because of social pressure, they might continue to fantasize about them but only increase anxiety and frustration. Similarly, those with severe physical limitations may find it impossible to engage in activities that serve as escapist mechanisms. In such instances, the need for real-life solutions becomes even more urgent than before.
Researchers agree that safety valve functions depend on how much control an individual has over their situation.
It seems fair to say that most people use fantasies to help cope with relational needs that cannot be fulfilled in reality.
It would be wrong to assume that all unmet needs could be resolved through mental exercise alone. Some circumstances require immediate action, while others are best left unaddressed. It is therefore critical to consider each case individually rather than generalizing about the effectiveness of fantasies across different situations. This paper has reviewed existing literature to explain why some individuals use daydreaming as psychological safety valves.
To what degree do fantasies act as psychological safety valves for unmet relational needs?
Researchers believe that fantasizing can be a useful method of coping with unmet relational needs by providing individuals with an outlet to explore their desires and urges without actually engaging in them. Fantasy allows people to escape from reality and imagine themselves in different situations where they might fulfill their needs, which can help alleviate feelings of dissatisfaction and distress.