Pornography and Sexual Aggression

1st Edition - October 26, 1984
Editor: Neil M. Malamuth
Language: English
eBook ISBN:
9 7 8 - 1 - 4 8 3 2 - 9 5 7 9 - 4

Pornography and Sexual Aggression is an analysis of the various facets of pornography and sexual aggression and possible linkages between them. This 11-chapter work focuses on the… Read more

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Pornography and Sexual Aggression is an analysis of the various facets of pornography and sexual aggression and possible linkages between them. This 11-chapter work focuses on the causes of male aggression against women that may or may not occur within a sexual context, as well as on possible causes of sexual aggression that are not directly related to pornography. After a historical perspective on pornography research, this book goes on presenting the findings of a series of experimental studies that primarily focuses on the effects of violent or aggressive pornography fantasies, attitudes, beliefs, and aggressive behavior. The role of such factors as individual differences in aggressive inclinations, emotional states, and situational inhibitions in mediating the impact of aggressive pornography is also examined. These topics are followed by discussions of the ability of a theoretical model based on physiological arousal and emotional reactions, as well as the various individual difference variables that may affect reactions to pornography. Other chapters review the correlational data both within the United States and other areas of the world, along with some psychological and communicative factors that may cause sexual aggression. The concluding chapters describe the implications for legal change of some of the research, particularly on violent pornography. This book will prove useful to psychologists, psychiatrists, and behaviorists.

Contributors

Preface

Introduction: Pornography and Sex Research

Investigations of the Effects of Pornography

Sexual Depictions in History and Prehistory

The Effects of Exposure to Sexual Images

A Concluding Caution

References

I. Aggressive Pornography, Individual Differences and Aggression

1. Aggression against Women: Cultural and Individual Causes

Overview

Individual Differences: Propensity to Rape

Cultural Factors: Aggressive Pornography

Changes Induced by Exposure to Aggressive Pornography

The Interaction Between Cultural and Individual Causes

Conclusions and Directions for Future Research

References

2. Pornography: Its Effect on Violence Against Women

Introduction

Nonaggressive Pornography and Aggression Against Women

Aggressive Pornography: A More Direct Relationship

Conclusion

References

II. Experimental Studies on Pornography and Aggression

3. Arousal, Affect, and the Aggression-Moderating Effect of Erotica

Introduction

Nonaggressive Erotica and Aggressive Behavior

Aggressive and Deviant Pornography and Aggressive Behavior

Individual Differences in Response to Erotica

Summary

References

4. Effects of Massive Exposure to Pornography

A Two-Component Model of Effects on Aggression

Frequent Exposure, Excitatory Habituation, and Valence Changes

Recent Research on the Effects of Massive Exposure

A Call for Longitudinal Research

References

III. Correlation and Cross-Cultural Studies on Pornography and Aggression

5. Sex and Violence: A Ripple Effect

Shortcomings of Previous Pornography Studies

Studying Porno-Violence and Society

The Evidence for Reduction in Sex Crimes: Limitations of the Data

Alternative Interpretations of Trends

Arguments for an Association Between Rape and Porno-Violence

Propositions for an Association Between Rape and Porno-Violence

Discussion

References

6. Pornography in Japan: Cross-Cultural and Theoretical Considerations

Historical Perspective

Pornography in Japan in 1984

Cross-Cultural and Theoretical Considerations

References

7. Sexual Stratification, Pornography, and Rape in the United States

The Feminist View of Rape

Data and Methods

The Status of Women and Rape

Pornography and Rape

Nonsexual Violence and Rape

Multiple Regression Analysis

Summary and Conclusions

References

IV. Causes of Sexual Aggression: Psychological and Communicative Factors

8. Sexually Aggressive Men: Empirical Findings and Theoretical Implications

Identifying Sexually Aggressive Men

Empirical Findings

Theoretical Implications and Directions for Future Research

Conclusions

References

9. Sexual Signaling and Sexual Aggression in Adolescent Relationships

The Survey Sample

The Sexual Signal System

Difficult Encounters

Justifying Assault

Conclusion

References

V. Legal Implications of Research on Pornography and Sexual Aggression

10. Using Psychological Research on Violent Pornography to Inform Legal Change

State of the Law

Obscenity and Law in the 1980s

Quasi-Legal Solutions

Summary and Conclusions

References

11. Bases of Liability for Injuries Produced by Media Portrayals of Violent Pornography

Civil Liability and the Constitution

Using Social Science Data on the Effects of Violent Pornography in a Civil Suit

Summary and Conclusions

References

Afterword: Sex, Violence, and the Media: Where Do We Stand Now?

Problems with Exploring Pornography

General Theory on Sex, Violence, and the Media

Robustness of Experimental Support for the General Theory

Defects of Experimental Literature

Conclusion

References

Author Index

Subject Index