Pornography Viewing among Fraternity Men: Effects on Bystander Intervention, Rape Myth Acceptance and Behavioral Intent to Commit Sexual Assault
AUTHOR(S)
PUBLISHED
2011 in Sexual Addiction & Compulsivity, Vol. 18, pp. 212–231
KEY FINDINGS
- Tis study showed that men who view pornography are significantly less likely to intervene as a bystander during rape and are more likely to report an increased behavioral intent to rape.
ABSTRACT
College men’s exposure to pornography is nearly universal, with growing viewing rates nationwide. Substantial research documents the harmful effects of mainstream, sadomasochistic, and rape pornography on men’s attitudes and behavior related to sexual assault. The present study surveyed 62% of the fraternity population at a Midwestern public university on their pornography viewing habits, bystander efficacy, and bystander willingness to help in potential rape situations. Results showed that men who view pornography are... READ FULL ABSTRACT
EXCERPTS
- "Results of this study showed many effects of fraternity men's exposure to pornography, with increasingly more deleterious effects as the level of violence depicted within it increased. This confirmed numerous prior studies. Also in line with previous research the present study found that mainstream pornography has serious consequences on its viewers. With men's viewing of mainstream pornography during the last 12 months, which 83% of participants reported, such men indicated a greater behavioral intent to rape as shown by their answers to questions about their likelihood of committing rape and likelihood of committing sexual assault if they could be assured of not being caught or punished than men who chose not to view pornography. The result that 83% of the sample in this study reported viewing pornography is concerning given its connection to sexual violence. Though this does not mean that all men who view pornography will commit rape, it does raise concern about the increased risk that viewing mainstream pornography has for men's intent to commit sexual violence."
