Document Type

Article

Publication Title

Violence and Victims

Publication Date

1990

Volume

5

Issue

3

First Page

143

Last Page

155

Keywords

pornography, erotica, effects on women

Abstract

Women's reactions to three types of sexually explicit materials were examined. Ninety-six female undergraduates completed questionnaires measuring previous exposure to pornography, past history of coercive sexual experiences, attitudes toward feminism, hostility toward men, adversarial sexual beliefs, and rape myth acceptance. They were then randomly assigned to one of four conditions: (a) erotica, (b) nonviolent pornography (c) violent pornography, and (d) control. They viewed 50 slides during each of two 30-minute sessions, complete a measure of mood disturbance, and evaluate each slide. The erotica was evaluated positively, while the pornography was evaluated negatively, and the violent pornography was evaluated more negatively than the other three conditions. Mood disturbance increased significantly from pre- to post exposure in the violent and nonviolent pornography conditions only. In addition, women with past coercive sexual experiences evaluated pornography more negatively and erotica more positively than women who had no such experience.

Comments

This article was first published in Violence and Victims (http://www.springerpub.com/product/08866708#.UVxA2zd48b0). Copyright Springer Publishing Company. Volume 5 Issue 3 is currently unavailable online from the publisher and is thus made available here at the request of the author until a take-down is requested.

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