Autobiographical Memories of Exposure to Sexual Media Content

Abstract

We content analyzed undergraduates' (n = 196) descriptions of a memorable encounter with sexual media. Reactions were both positive and negative in affective tone and varied significantly by age at exposure (5-12 vs. 13 and over) and gender. Younger viewers responded more to surface features (e.g., nudity) and with guilt or confusion, whereas older viewers were more responsive to plot elements (e.g., rape), reporting more anger, disgust, and sadness. Males' reactions focused more on physical aspects and were more affectively positive than those of females, who were more sensitive to the relational aspects of depictions. Memorable media were predominantly movies rated R or higher, seen at home in the absence of adults. Parental awareness and mediation of children's media consumption are suggested.