US researchers link excessive porn watching to sexual aggression
A new study suggests that people who watch porn excessively have the tendency to be sexually aggressive.
An analysis of 22 studies from seven different countries across the world has linked excessive pornography consumption to a change in behaviour. According to the researchers who conducted the analysis, spending too much time watching porn can make make both males and females sexually aggressive.
During the analysis, researchers from Indiana University and the University of Hawaii at Manoa in the US found that excessive porn watching was linked to both physical and verbal sexual aggression. However, the effect was more pronounced in case of verbal aggression.
The collection of 22 studies analysed by the researchers contained self-reports of pronography consumption and acts of sexual aggression. The incidences of sexual aggression included sexual harassment and the use of force, threat or coercion to obtain sex from the partner.
However, the researchers do acknowledge that there are multiple complex reasons behind sexual aggression. They say that a number of people who watch pornography are not sexually aggressive, reports The Times of India.
Despite other factors that influence sexual aggression, the researchers concluded that on an average, excessive exposure to pornography or frequent porn watching puts the person at a greater risk of being sexually aggressive. In addition, such an individual has a greater tendency to engage in aggressive sexual acts as compared to individuals who stay away from porn or watch it less frequently.
A study published back in September 1995 also analysed the link between pornography and sexual aggression. The research team found that sexually aggressive pornography produces a variety of undesirable effects, including aggression against female target. Examples of sexually aggressive porn include pornographic rape depictions and the association between anger and victim's pleasure.
The complete details of the study have been published in the Journal of Communication.
