Links of Perceived Pornography Realism with Sexual Aggression via Sexual Scripts, Sexual Behavior, and Acceptance of Sexual Coercion: A Study with German University Students.

Barbara Krahé,Isabell Schuster,Paulina Tomaszewska

doi:10.3390/ijerph19010063

Abstract

Exposure to pornographic material has been linked to sexual aggression perpetration and victimization in a large body of research. Based on social learning theory and 3A theory of script learning, this study contributes to this research by testing the hypothesis that the more realistic pornography is perceived to be by young adults, the more likely they are to experience and engage in sexual aggression. Two underlying pathways were proposed: one path via scripts and patterns of sexual behavior regarding consensual sexual interactions that contain established risk factors for sexual aggression victimization and perpetration, and a second path via the acceptance of sexual coercion. In a cross-sectional study, 1181 university students in Germany (762 female; 419 male) completed measures of pornography use and perception, risky sexual scripts and sexual behavior, and acceptance of sexual coercion. As predicted, pornography realism was a positive predictor of risky sexual scripts, risky sexual behavior, and acceptance of sexual coercion. Indirect links with sexual aggression victimization and perpetration were found via both pathways. No gender differences in the associations were found. The implications for media literacy interventions addressing the realism of pornography are discussed.

Highlights

Pornography use is ubiquitous among adolescents and young adults around the world, especially since it has become accessible via the internet (e.g., [1,2,3]) and in video games [4]
We proposed that the associations between pornography realism, risky sexual scripts and behavior, acceptance of sexual coercion, and sexual aggression perpetration and victimization would be found for both men and women
Men scored significantly higher than women on the measure of pornography realism, held riskier sexual scripts for consensual sex, and had a higher prevalence of sexual aggression perpetration

Summary

Introduction

Pornography use is ubiquitous among adolescents and young adults around the world, especially since it has become accessible via the internet (e.g., [1,2,3]) and in video games [4]. Prevalence studies indicate that up to 90% of adolescents and young adults have been voluntarily exposed to pornographic media contents. A recent review of the prevalence and frequency of young men’s pornography use revealed weekly user rates of up to 80% [6]. A key motivation for pornography use is the expectation to acquire relevant information about sexuality and sexual relationships from these sources, identifying pornography as a learning tool, especially for adolescents and young adults [9,10]. Most of the aggressive behaviors were shown by a male actor towards a female target, and 95% of the targets responded either with expressions of pleasure or in

Methods

Results

Conclusion