Pornography, permissiveness, and sex differences: An evaluation of social learning and evolutionary explanations. (1st June 2019)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Wright, Paul J.; Vangeel, Laurens
• Is Part Of: Personality and individual differences. Volume 143(2019)
• Page Start: 128
• Page End: 138
• Publication Date: 2019-06-01
• Subjects: Pornography -- Sex differences -- Sexual script theory -- Sexual strategies theory; Personality -- Periodicals; Individuality -- Periodicals; Individuality -- Periodicals; Personality Development -- Periodicals; Personnalité -- Périodiques; Individualité -- Périodiques; 155.205
• DOI: 10.1016/j.paid.2019.02.019
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0191-8869

Abstract

Abstract: Using national probability data gathered between 1990 and 2016, this study explored associations between pornography consumption and sexual permissiveness within and between the sexes, as well as permissiveness differences between the sexes across categories of pornography use. Its goal was to compare whether theory from the social learning or evolutionary psychology paradigms could better explain the results. In support of social learning: pornography consumption was associated with higher permissiveness within sex; associations between pornography use and permissive sexual attitudes were generally stronger for men than women; and attitudinal sex differences among nonconsumers became smaller over time. In support of evolutionary psychology: women were never more permissive than men; men were often more permissive than women, especially behaviorally; and the largest and most consistent sex differences were for paid sex behavior. That a combination of social learning and evolutionary perspectives explains the results better than either perspective standing alone is discussed.