Exposure to Sexually Explicit Materials and Attitudes Toward Rape: A Comparison of Study Results

• NCJ Number: 137628
• Journal: Journal of Sex Research Volume: 26 Issue: 1 Dated: (February 1989) Pages: 50-84
• Author(s): D Linz
• Date Published: 1989
• Length: 35 pages
• Grant Number(s): MH40894
• Sponsoring Agency: National Institute of Mental Health
• Publication Format: Article
• Publication Type: Survey
• Language: English
• Country: United States of America

Annotation

Experimental studies conducted over the past two decades that have tested the relationship of exposure to sexually explicit materials and attitudes and perceptions about rape are compared.

Abstract

The author found that studies of short-term exposure to nonaggressive sexually explicit materials have yielded mixed results; any effects that result are fewer and weaker than the antisocial effects resulting from exposure to sexually violent materials. Some experiments involving long-term exposure to nonviolent materials have found increases in negative attitudes about rape, while others have found no effect. The one consistent finding for both short- and long- term studies is that exposure to violent (slasher) films has led to less sensitivity toward rape victims. The author explains the inconsistencies in outcomes among these studies in terms of subject awareness bias, subject population differences, procedural differences, level of dependent variable realism, and theoretical reasons. 79 references