I’ve just seen what is about to be the top-selling issue of all time for Psychology Today:

Fun, ain’t it?  Yeah, I bought a copy of this tonight in the grocery store.  For a brief minute I thought that Penthouse had managed to get shelf space right there above MAD Magazine.  

The real psychology here is about sales.  Anybody looking for a full course explanation on S&M and the mentality therein won’t be enlightened by this issue.  Despite the racy cover, and the cutie-pie photo of the blonde dominatrix inside on page 1, and a full page photo of her leather pride on page 67 suitable for pin-up, there’s nothing in here about whips and chains.  

Which to me, is hilarious, because this clever marketing ploy is sure to cause a few heart attacks in the magazine aisle at Winn-Dixie.  Let an outraged prude pick it up and read it, though, and they’ll find the topic of kinky sex barely mentioned, and hardly worth protest.

Psychology Today makes up for this, by giving you another enticing full-page photo on page 72.  In this photo, there’s a change of pace; instead of black leather, the blonde model wears skimpy white underwear as she curls up behind her male lover.  There’s a subtle suggestion of dominance in her pose – she’s got one bare thigh thrown over his hip as she holds him; her face is his nuzzled into his hair posessively, and she’s ready to latch her teeth on his earlobe.  The photo accomplishes mood and intent without being porn-centric, and without conveying threat. 

What does the article say about kinky sex?  Basically, it says that exploration is healthy. As long as the rituals, behaviors, and artifacts of a kink don’t replace the relationship and the human element, carry on with your bad self.   It warns that getting caught up in a behavior for habit’s sake can impede a relationship and ultimately inhibit sexual satisfaction.  For example, guys who get hooked on porn, to the point they can’t prepare for sex with a partner without needing the porn as a prelude. 

And there ya have it!  Next issue: Compulsive Masturbation: When Too Much is Never Enough.

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