Erotic Films Create Cognitive Dissonance Between Fantasy Arousal and Real Intimacy
Erotic films are an important part of pop culture that have been around for many decades. They depict romantic and/or sexual activities in an entertaining manner to appeal to their audience.
These films often create confusion regarding what is appropriate or desirable in real life because they present idealized versions of interpersonal behavior that are not based on reality. This can lead to cognitive dissonance between fantasy arousal and real intimacy.
Erotic films date back to the early days of cinema when they were used as educational tools to teach people about sex. The Lumières' short film La fée aux choux (1896) shows a woman giving birth while her husband watches from behind a screen. This was one of the first movies to feature nudity and helped establish the genre. Since then, erotic films have evolved into more mainstream entertainment with various subgenres such as softcore pornography, hardcore pornography, pornochic, and adult animation.
These films typically showcase scenarios where characters engage in explicit sexual activity without any consequences like pregnancy, disease, or emotional pain. Viewers might enjoy watching them due to their thrilling nature, but it can also cause cognitive dissonance since they do not reflect actual experiences in real life.
How Do Erotic Films Create Cognitive Dissonance?
Cognitive dissonance occurs when someone holds two conflicting beliefs or ideas simultaneously, leading to psychological stress. In this case, viewers may experience it if they believe that erotic films accurately depict how relationships work in real life yet realize that it's impossible for things to go exactly as shown in the movie. They may feel guilty or ashamed because of this discrepancy, creating anxiety and embarrassment.
Imagine a couple trying to reenact a scene from an erotic film featuring multiple partners. If there is no open communication regarding boundaries or safety measures beforehand, it could lead to problems during execution.
Certain behaviors displayed onscreen - such as aggressive dominance or rough sex - may not align with each person's preferences in bed, causing frustration or resentment towards one another.
These movies often emphasize unrealistic standards of beauty which can make viewers question their own attractiveness compared to what they see on screen. This leads to self-esteem issues and feelings of inferiority.
Erotic films portray unhealthy relationship dynamics where people objectify each other rather than treating each other respectfully.
Erotic films are a popular form of entertainment but should be consumed responsibly without taking them too seriously since they cannot fully capture reality. Viewers need to understand that they present fantasy scenarios that are unlikely in actual intimate encounters between two individuals who care about each other. By accepting this fact while still enjoying what's being presented onscreen, it will reduce any potential cognitive dissonance between fantasy arousal and real intimacy.
How do erotic films create cognitive dissonance between fantasy arousal and real intimacy?
Erotic films can create cognitive dissonance between fantasy arousal and real intimacy by creating unrealistic expectations of sexual encounters that are not always achievable in reality. These films often portray an idealized version of sex that is physically impossible or improbable, which can lead viewers to believe that their own sexual experiences fall short in comparison.