Rates, Age, & Impact of Exposure to Pornography

Open Access: No.

Abstract

Over the past 40 years, experimental research on the effects of pornography exposure on partner perceptions has produced mixed findings. This inconsistency may stem from (1) changes in the medium of pornography consumption, and/or (2) the failure to examine a broader range of psychological and relational outcomes. This study investigates potential differences in partner, relationship, and sexuality outcomes based on exposure to different film content. A total of 144 participants watched one of three randomly assigned 30-minute clips from a pirate-themed movie: Pirates (2005, X-rated), Pirates of the Caribbean: Curse of the Black Pearl (2003, PG-13), or The Pirates! Band of Misfits (2012, PG). They then completed measures assessing beliefs about their partners, relationships, and sexuality. Results indicate that, among all participants, those who watched the action control clip (PG-13) reported less partner uncertainty than those who watched the Claymation control clip (PG). Participants in the action control group also exhibited lower attachment avoidance than those in the pornography or Claymation conditions and greater belief in relationship growth than those in the pornography condition. Among heterosexual males, exposure to pornography was associated with less favorable perceptions of their romantic partners compared to the other two groups. These findings suggest that media content influences relational perceptions and that pornography may shape partner perceptions differently for heterosexual men.

Relevance

The “most striking” finding of this study was that heterosexual male partners offered “less favorable evaluations of their romantic partners” after watching pornography compared to action-oriented but non-sexual films (PG-13) and animated non-arousing films.

Therapists and educators should be aware of the potential for downward comparison and partner dissatisfaction among heterosexual men.”

Citation

McLean, A. (2025). Shiver Me Timbers! Effects of Pornography Viewing on Partner, Relationship, and Sexuality Outcomes. Sexuality & Culture 29, 3045–3062. https://doi.org/10.1007/s12119-025-10407-3