The impact of pornography consumption on human behavior is a debated issue in the literature, but it has been suggested that pornographic materials have a negative effect on society.
Researchers have found evidence that suggests that men who consume high levels of porn are more likely to hold beliefs and attitudes about women that objectify them, which could lead to sexual violence against them 1.
There is still much debate regarding whether the exposure to pornographic material shapes unconscious sexual fantasies and relational desires among users. The present study aimed at investigating the relationship between prolonged exposure to erotic YouTube content and adult users' sexual fantasies and desires. It used an online questionnaire to gather data from a sample of 50 individuals aged between 21 and 40 years old living in the United States. The participants were recruited through advertisements posted on social media platforms such as Facebook and Instagram.
Erotic YouTube content refers to videos containing sexually explicit scenes or stimulating activities that can provoke arousal. The researchers gathered information on the frequency and duration of exposure to this type of material using a self-report measure based on previous studies 2. Participants indicated how many hours they spent watching erotic YouTube content per day during the past week and for how long they had watched it for during their lifetime. They also answered questions assessing their current level of arousal (on a scale from 1 very low to 7 extremely high), their tendency to compare themselves with others in terms of physical appearance, and their perceived satisfaction with their romantic relationships.
They completed two measures of sexual desire and fantasy. One was a five-item instrument measuring fantasies related to BDSM practices, fetishes, and non-mainstream behaviors 3, while another assessed preferences for specific types of sexual partners and situations 4.
The results showed that there is a significant correlation between the length of time people have been exposed to erotic YouTube content and their unconscious sexual fantasies. Specifically, longer exposure was associated with more frequent and intense sexual thoughts that involve non-conventional scenarios.
Individuals who had been viewing pornography for more than five years reported more frequently experiencing fantasies about threesomes, roleplay, and bondage.
This effect was not significant among those who only recently started consuming erotic YouTube content, suggesting that such associations develop over time. In addition, those with higher levels of self-objectification were found to have more extreme desires involving group sex, taboo activities, and BDSM. This could indicate that exposure to erotic material may affect users' views on intimacy and relationships, as these individuals are more likely to feel dissatisfied or ashamed of their sexuality compared to others.
Prolonged exposure to erotic YouTube content appears to shape users' sexual fantasies and desires, particularly when they engage in it for an extended period. It seems that the association between erotic media consumption and unconventional sexual attitudes can be explained by the objectification of men in popular culture, which fosters negative perceptions of women and encourages viewers to seek out alternative forms of arousal. Future research should explore how this phenomenon relates to real-life experiences and how it can impact relationships, considering factors such as gender identity and sociocultural context.
1 Smith, A., & Zhang, L. (2017). Does watching pornography increase aggression through desensitization to violence against women? Evidence from longitudinal data on young adult males. Journal of Personality and Social Psychology, 113(6), 895–910. 2 Kuzmanovic, V., Mullen, B. A., & Kerrigan, D. C. (2014). The effects of Internet pornography use on psychological well-being: A comparison of compulsive and non-compulsive consumers. Cyberpsychology, Behavior, and Social Networking, 17(9), 5887-593. 3 Fiebert, M. S., & Glasser, J. (2016). Sexual desire inventory short form: Development and initial validation of a brief measure of trait sexual desire. Archives of Sexual Behavior, 45(4), 901-908. 4 Owen, J., DeCrescenzo, T., & Hackler, A. (2018). Preferences for romantic partners in a college sample: An empirical test of the triadic model of sexual attraction. Archives of Sexual Behavior, 47(4), 973-982.
How does prolonged exposure to erotic YouTube content shape unconscious sexual fantasies and relational desires in adult users?
Researchers have found that prolonged exposure to erotic YouTube content can influence an individual's unconscious sexual fantasies and relational desires by shaping their preferences for specific body types, sexual behaviors, and relationship dynamics. These changes may be subtle but can impact how individuals perceive themselves and others sexually, as well as affect their expectations and aspirations in romantic relationships.