The internet has become an integral part of everyday life for most people, especially since the COVID pandemic, which forced many to stay at home and work online. One way that people spend their time online is watching videos on platforms like YouTube. YouTube offers a vast array of videos, from educational content to entertainment to adult content. One particular type of adult content that has gained popularity in recent years is erotic content. Erotic content is defined as anything that is meant to be arousing or stimulating physically or sexually. It can come in various forms, such as explicit videos, suggestive images, and suggestive language.
How does repeated exposure to erotic YouTube content alter unconscious sexual scripts, relational expectations, and interpersonal communication? This article will explore this question by examining what unconscious sexual scripts are, how they are formed, and how they can be affected by erotic YouTube content.
Unconscious sexual scripts are subliminal patterns of thoughts, beliefs, and behaviors related to sexuality that guide individuals' perceptions, reactions, and choices regarding intimacy and relationships. These scripts are learned through socialization, media consumption, personal experiences, and other factors. They shape how individuals interact with others, approach romance and sexual encounters, communicate desires and needs, and respond to intimate situations.
Someone may have been taught that women should always initiate sexual contact, while men must pursue it. Another person might believe that only certain types of bodies or appearances are attractive, leading them to seek out partners who fit that mold.
Erotic YouTube content exposes viewers to a wide variety of ideas, behaviors, and perspectives related to sexuality. Repeated exposure can reinforce existing unconscious sexual scripts or introduce new ones. If an individual has previously held the belief that only certain body types are sexy, for instance, watching videos featuring different body types can challenge those beliefs and expand their perceptions of attractiveness. Similarly, if an individual believes that sex is only appropriate in specific contexts, such as marriage, watching couples engaging in sex outside of that context can challenge those norms.
Repeated exposure to erotic YouTube content can also alter relational expectations by shaping viewers' understanding of what constitutes a healthy relationship. Viewing consensual, safe, mutually enjoyable sex between two people can normalize these practices and increase viewers' expectations of finding a partner who shares similar interests and values.
If viewers see abusive or exploitative behavior, they may begin to accept it as normal, which could lead to dangerous situations in real life.
In addition to influencing attitudes towards relationships and sexual behavior, erotic YouTube content can affect interpersonal communication by providing models for how individuals express themselves and communicate desires.
Watching pornography can teach viewers about phrases, gestures, and actions that signal interest or desire, which they may then use in real-life interactions. It can also expose them to different tones of voice, levels of intimacy, and other factors that shape communication patterns. These effects on interpersonal communication can be positive (e.g., increased confidence) or negative (e.g., inappropriate or harmful behavior).
Repeated exposure to erotic YouTube content has the potential to impact unconscious sexual scripts, relational expectations, and interpersonal communication. While there are benefits to exploring sexuality and expanding horizons through online content, viewers should approach this media with caution and self-awareness. By being mindful of their own beliefs and experiences, they can avoid being influenced by potentially harmful messages and choose to engage with only content that aligns with their values and goals.
How does repeated exposure to erotic YouTube content alter unconscious sexual scripts, relational expectations, and interpersonal communication?
Research shows that prolonged exposure to erotic videos can shape people's sexual scripts, which are subconscious beliefs about what is considered normal sexual behavior (e. g. , pornography often portrays highly exaggerated and unrealistic sexual acts).