Effect of Age Restrictions and Pornographic Content on Desirability of Reading Material

Abstract

Evaluation of reading materials by 96 male and 96 female subjects under 21 yr. of age was investigated for combinations of age restriction and pornographic content. Information purportedly from a book's cover indicated the book was pornographic to half the subjects and that the purchase of the book was restricted to those 21 yr. and older for half of the subjects. Combinations of pornographic content (indicated, not indicated) and age restrictions (21 yr. and older, no indication) defined the treatment for both sexes. A significant interaction of age restriction and pornographic content was obtained for dependent measures of wanting to read and perceived liking of the book. In both cases, age restriction had a significant effect (higher ratings when the book was said to be restricted) when no explicit pornographic content was indicated. However, when the book was indicated to be pornographic, ratings under the restricted and unrestricted conditions did not differ. These results partially support the prediction from commodity theory that restricting the availability of materials increases their desirability. It was suggested that a social desirability response-set may have influenced ratings when the book was said to be pornographic.