Recently, a research institution published a psychological study report on users of sex dolls, hereinafter referred to as “realistic dolls players.” The report conducted statistical analysis on the psychology of various groups of people who purchase sex dolls as companions, with diverse motivations, and the majority of them do not have malicious intent.
The mainstream perception of real doll buyers is often associated with alternative or somewhat creepy individuals, often depicting them as social misfits. However, the 2007 film Lars and the Real Girl, starring renowned actor Ryan Gosling, provided a nuanced portrayal of robot love doll players.
Many people assume that those who use sex dolls may have underlying violent tendencies because they can do anything to these real dolls, potentially leading to an increase in violent behavior in real life. However, this is not the case, as the research report shows that the population using sexy dolls includes individuals with various demographic characteristics and diverse motivations. Not everyone is driven by malicious motives, as depicted in the movie Lars and the Real Girl.
A report released by the University of Trent in the UK in February 2022 was one of the earliest studies to support this viewpoint. In this report, researchers compared the psychological characteristics of sexy doll players with those of other males.
The conclusion of the survey was that lifelike sex doll players did not exhibit significant differences in most psychological characteristics compared to others. In fact, doll players showed a lower tendency toward sexual violence, although their levels of sexual self-esteem were lower. They were more likely to perceive women as incomprehensible objects, but they desired more sexual control, had a higher likelihood of having compulsive personalities, and viewed the real world as “risky.”
What do these “views of women” mean?
Various factors, such as social isolation, unrealistic expectations of intimate relationships, distorted understandings of gender, and stereotypes, can lead to objectification and a misplaced sense of ownership of sexuality, according to relationship consultant and clinical sexologist Laurie Lawless from Eros Coaching in Singapore.
“These could be due to a lack of normal social interactions, compounded by the prevalence of such thoughts and feelings in online media,” Lawless said.
Men holding these beliefs may desire complete control over a woman, and purchasing sex dolls can be a way to create that experience, she added. However, these findings are correlational and do not necessarily imply causation.
Inclination Toward Sexual Violence
“Many people believe that using sex dolls may increase the rate of sexual violence crimes. However, the data from the research report contradicts this notion.”
This might be because individuals with fewer violent tendencies are more willing to use lifelke sex dolls.
On the other hand, sex dolls may provide a safe and controllable outlet for sexual desire, frustration, and aggression that might otherwise be directed toward real people.
This could help dispel the misconception that doll players are dangerous, Lawless stated.
Compulsive Personality Traits
The association between sex dolls and more pronounced compulsive personality traits is speculative and requires further investigation, according to researcher Lee. However, there are several possible explanations.
Individuals with compulsive personality traits might be attracted to the meticulous care and maintenance that real dolls require. because for these personality types, intimate activities should have a ritualistic aspect rather than being routine, as suggested by Lawless and Lee. They might appreciate the ability to customize sex dolls to fulfill specific fantasies and desires. Considering the complete control and predictability of life size sex dolls, they might find it a very comforting way to engage.
Lower Sexual Self-Esteem
“People with lower sexual self-esteem are more likely to be attracted to sex dolls because the dolls provide a certain degree of psychological security. Love dolls won’t reject or criticize you,” said sexologist Lehmiller.
Some people shop sex dolls as tools to explore their sexual desires, fulfill specific fantasies, or as a mechanism to cope with a lack of interpersonal experience or past failures. Having an adult real doll can serve as a way to cope with social anxiety, past trauma, or difficulty in establishing intimate relationships.
However, owning and using sex dolls can also be another factor contributing to low self-esteem.
“Many sex doll players establish communities online, forming a sense of identity within these communities, which helps combat loneliness and social isolation.”
While sex dolls can fulfill certain emotional and psychological needs, they may also have some negative effects, such as inhibiting social skills in real-life interactions. Being intimate with only a real doll partner can suppress communication skills, including empathy and the ability to compromise, which are crucial for human social relationships.
“Although sex dolls can provide physical satisfaction, they cannot replace emotional connections and social interaction,” said Lee.
However, experts also emphasize that these findings should not be generalized or stigmatize all real doll players because each individual’s experiences are unique, and they come from various backgrounds.
Lee stated, “It’s important to recognize that sex dolls can fulfill various needs for different individuals. Some people may use love dolls to explore their sexual behaviors, fulfill specific fantasies, or experiment with alternative forms of pleasure. Others may form friendships and emotional connections with their dolls. What’s most important is to respect individual choices and approach this topic without judgment, as long as it is legal.” Lee added that if sex doll players have specific concerns or questions, they can seek guidance from professional therapists or sexologists.
Exquisite Lifelike sex dolls
The user base for purchasing lifelike sex dolls has been rapidly growing. Nowadays, sex dolls not only have precise anatomical structures, lifelike appearances, and nearly realistic textures and sensations but some can even speak and perform simple movements. Additionally, purchasing them has become more convenient and private.
Although there is still a social stigma associated with owning sex dolls, interest in them has been on the rise in recent years, with a significant surge in sales during the COVID-19 pandemic. According to reports by Frankie Cockney, single men continue to be the primary buyers, but since early 2020, an increasing number of couples have also purchased sex dolls.
Sales data for sex dolls shows an average annual growth rate of 33% since 2016, with a roughly 75% increase in sales in 2020. Moreover, it’s not just men who are buying sex dolls; a survey indicates that 9.7% of adult men in the United States have purchased female sex dolls, while 6.1% of adult women in the United States have also bought male sex dolls.
