Pornography Use, Two Forms of Dehumanization, and Sexual Aggression: Attitudes vs. Behaviors

Moral disengagement mechanisms predict cyber aggression among emerging adults

“…For example, a perpetrator may view the victim as simply a "social media account" versus the person behind the account due to the inability for the perpetrator to see the victims' reactions (i.e., tearfulness, facial expressions). Dehumanization has been linked to bullying, institutionalized discrimination, sexual aggression, aggressive attitudes, coercive sexual behaviors, and cyber aggression (Bandura, 2002;Runions & Bak, 2015;Van Noorden et al, 2014;Zhou et al, 2021). The attribution of blame describes the process of a transgressor placing themselves in a victim role to negate the impact of their unethical behaviors (Bandura, 2002).…”

Pornography Use and Sexual Objectification of Others

“…Sexual objectification is defined as “the experience of being treated as a body (or a collection of body parts) valued predominantly for its use to (or consumption by) others” (Fredrickson & Roberts, 1997, p. 174). Research suggests women are more likely to be sexually objectified than men in interpersonal interactions and in media representations, especially (although not exclusively) in pornography (Zhou et al, 2021). Sexual objectification is associated with negative consequences for the objectified, including an internalization of one's worth as limited to what one can offer others through one's body (known as self-objectification), low self-esteem, increased sense of shame, depression and anxiety, and reduced ability to enjoy being mindful and present (Fredrickson & Roberts, 1997; Miles-McLean et al, 2015; Szymanski et al, 2011).…”

“…In previous research, it remains unclear if the associations between pornography use and sexual objectification is a function of the frequency of use without regard to content, or if a preference for pornography with content themes of degradation and objectification may be more specifically driving this association. Prior work (Senn & Radtke, 1990; Zhou et al, 2021) and social learning theory suggest sexual objectification will be more likely if the media being consumed is portraying/endorsing objectifying messages. It may be the case, then, that a preference for sexually explicit but not overtly degrading and dehumanizing content may not be associated with sexual objectification, while a preference for degrading pornography is.…”

Exploring the Interplay of problematic pornography use, sexism, and rape myth acceptance: An Italian cross-sectional study

“…Previous studies have analyzed the frequency of exposure to pornography and the viewing of hardcore or violent content, yielding different findings. Some authors [ 17 ] found an association with a more favorable and egalitarian attitude toward women, while other studies [ 44 ] reported an association with increased aggression toward women. The evidence is also controversial regarding how harmful sexual attitudes are associated with the use of pornography, which is operationalized in studies in terms of the content to which one is exposed or the frequency of use.…”