Violence

Open Access: Yes.

Abstract

Different studies show that women are, on average, more interested than men in pornographic themes related to dominance and submission, including rape. Using a biopsychosocial approach, a total of 571 women, representative of age and education level, from Germany, were studied to explore the factors influencing the consumption of such pornography. Participants were experimentally exposed to either a consensual written pornographic stimulus or one dealing with rape, and their subjective (psychological) sexual arousal was assessed. Additionally, we investigated various traits encompassing societal influences (such as acceptance of rape myths and previous use of violent sexual pornography) and biological-evolutionary factors (including sex drive, K-factor, and the onset of menarche). Our research showed that both rape myth acceptance and sex drive significantly impacted reported sexual arousal in response to the different stimuli. Additionally, women who had previously engaged with violent pornography tended to exhibit higher arousal when exposed to a rape stimulus. Aside from sex drive, the other biological-evolutionary factors were not significant predictors. These results prompt a discussion within the context of influences on the consumption of rape pornography, such as socialization. Our interpretation does not support the notion that a minority of women engage in fast life-history strategies, as suggested by prior research.

Relevance

The study found that “women with prior exposure to violent pornography reported significantly higher arousal in response to the rape compared to the consensual stimulus. In contrast, no significant difference emerged in the consensual condition compared to women without such exposure. This pattern suggests that prior use of violent pornography is associated with stronger arousal responses in rape contexts.”

(There is “no evidence suggesting that women secretly desire sexual assault, nor should these results be used to reinforce harmful rape myths or justify abusive and/or harmful behaviors. In contrast, the data indicate that most women report greater arousal following the stimulus depicting…[an] emotionally attentive partner.”)

Citation

von Andrian-Werburg, M. T. P., Schwarz, S., Lange, B. P., & Schwab, F. (2026). Why Do You Watch This Rough Stuff? Assessing Predictors of Female Pornography Preferences. The Journal of Sex Research. https://doi.org/10.1080/00224499.2026.2642323