Violent pornography, antiwoman thoughts, and antiwoman acts: In search of reliable effects

In this article, we critique the literature concerning the prevalence and effects of violent pornography and describe two experiments in which we sought to produce effects of violent pornography on men's fantasies, attitudes, and behaviors toward women. Our critique of the literature revealed that findings for the prevalence and effects of violent pornography are highly inconsistent, and we identified methodological and conceptual limitations that may contribute to the unreliability of findings in this area. Our two experiments involved creation of conditions that should have been sufficient to produce effects of violent pornography on men's fantasies, attitudes, and behaviors toward women, but which produced essentially no such effects. Discussion focuses on factors that may help explain the unreliability of effects of violent pornography on men's fantasies, attitudes, and behaviors toward women, within the research procedures that are commonly used in this area, and on the need to improve methodological and conceptual approaches in studying this important issue.