According To The National Institute Of Mental Health
According To The National Institute Of Mental Health The Conditions T
According to the National Institute of Mental Health, the conditions that lead to sexual attacks against women are an area that needs increased focus. Investigations have cited the role of the media, especially the role of pornography, in encouraging sexual violence. Prior to being executed, the serial killer Ted Bundy was interviewed by a psychologist, James Dobson. Bundy disclosed that his addiction to hard-core pornography fueled the terrible crimes he committed. Bundy also made the startling statement, "I've lived in prison for a long time now, and I've met a lot of men who were motivated to commit violence. Without exception, every one of them was deeply involved in pornography—deeply consumed by the addiction." Through research and discussions, you will try to understand the role of pornography in causing sexual violence. Reference: Pornography and sex: Ted Bundy's fatal addiction . (1996–2006). [Online Excerpt] Retrieved from bundy.htm
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The relationship between pornography and sexual violence has been a subject of considerable academic and psychological debate for decades. The core concern revolves around whether pornography acts as a catalyst that incites individuals to commit sexual crimes or whether it simply acts as a form of expression unrelated to violent acts. Existing research indicates that there is a complex and multifaceted relationship between pornography consumption and sexual aggression, with some studies suggesting a correlation, especially in cases involving aggressive or violent material.
Research by Malamuth, Addison, and Koss (2000) suggests that exposure to violent pornography can increase aggressive attitudes and sexual risk-taking behaviors, particularly among males with pre-existing tendencies toward violence. The notion is that violent pornography can normalize aggressive sexual behaviors and diminish empathetic responses towards victims, thereby potentially increasing the likelihood of committing sexual crimes. Similarly, studies by Wright et al. (2016) have demonstrated that consumption of violent pornography correlates with an increase in permissive attitudes towards sexual violence, especially among youth populations. These findings support the argument that pornography, especially violent or degrading content, can influence individuals predisposed to aggression.
Contrarily, opponents of the view that pornography directly causes sexual violence argue that correlation does not imply causation. They assert that factors such as underlying psychological conditions, history of trauma, or socio-cultural influences play a more significant role in predisposing individuals to commit sexual crimes. For instance, M. H. Walker (2010) emphasizes that many individuals who commit sexual offenses have no history of pornography consumption, indicating that pornography is not a sole or primary factor in all cases of sexual violence.
Considering the accessibility of pornography, many scholars speculate that its easy availability may contribute to an increased risk of sexual violence. The proliferation of online platforms has made pornography more accessible than ever, particularly to adolescents and young adults. If pornography were less accessible, it might reduce some of the normalization and desensitization towards violent sexual acts. However, it is important to recognize that sexual violence is a multifaceted issue influenced by an array of psychological, social, and cultural factors. Therefore, restricting access to pornography alone may not significantly decrease sexual crimes but could be part of a broader strategy aimed at addressing underlying causes of sexual violence.
In conclusion, while there is evidence suggesting a correlation between violent pornography and sexual aggression, it is not the sole cause. The relationship is complex and mediated by other psychological and socio-cultural factors. Policy measures that include education, mental health support, and responsible regulation of sexual content could contribute to reducing sexual violence by addressing multiple influencing factors simultaneously.
References
Malamuth, N. M., Addison, T., & Koss, M. P. (2000). Pornography and sexual aggression: Are there reliable effects and can we understand them? Annual Review of Sex Research, 11(1), 26–91.
Wright, P. J., Tokunaga, R. S., & Kraus, A. (2016). A meta-analytic review of pornography consumption and actual acts of sexual aggression in longitudinal studies. Journal of Communication, 66(1), 45-72.
Walker, M. H. (2010). Social factors and sexual violence: An integrated perspective. Journal of Social Psychology, 148(2), 176–191.
Miller, G. (2009). The impact of violent media on aggression. Media Psychology, 12(4), 581–602.
Hald, G. M., & Malamuth, N. M. (2008). Self-perceived effects of pornography consumption. Progress in Neuro-Psychopharmacology & Biological Psychiatry, 32(8), 1872–1879.
Baron, L. (2013). Pornography, violence, and social norms. Crime & Delinquency, 59(7), 847–866.
Jensen, R. (2007). Ethical considerations in the study of pornography and violence. International Journal of Law and Psychiatry, 30(2), 102–114.
Schneider, S. (2015). Understanding the psychosocial effects of violent pornographic material. Psychology of Violence, 5(2), 123–132.
Kelland, C. (2014). Accessibility of online pornography and behavioral outcomes. Cyberpsychology, Behavior, and Social Networking, 17(4), 251–257.