ABSTRACT
The current study qualitatively explores the pornography viewing preferences of a non-university-based male sample from the United States. Cisgender heterosexual men (N = 34) completed an online structured interview about their viewing preferences of pornographic material. Responses were grouped into two main categories, motivations to view pornography and viewing preferences. Unlike some previous pornography studies, a wide range of preferences for sexual activity was shared by the participants. The current study replicates findings from previous research and adds to the literature on male viewing preferences of pornography by highlighting several unique themes that emerged from the sample, including the reticence of heterosexual men to disclose having preferences for male actor characteristics and men viewing pornography to alter their current mental states.
Author declaration
The views represented here do not necessarily reflect those of the United States Air Force Academy, the United States Air Force, or the United States Department of Defense.
Disclosure statement
No potential conflict of interest was reported by the authors.
Additional information
Notes on contributors
Matthew J. Sharkey
Matthew J. Sharkey is a doctoral student in the Counseling Psychology program, housed in the Department of Psychological Sciences at Texas Tech University.
Joseph M. Currin
Joseph M. Currin is an assistant professor in the Department of Behavioral Sciences and Leadership at the United States Air Force Academy. Areas of expertise include use of technology for sexual partner seeking, mental health disparities among men who have sex with men (MSM), and outcomes associated with stigma and minority stress for rural and peri-urban MSM.
Kassidy Cox
Kassidy Cox is a doctoral student in the Counseling Psychology program, housed in the Department of Psychological Sciences at Texas Tech University.
Brittney L. Golden
Brittney L. Golden is a doctoral student in the Counseling Psychology program, housed in the Department of Psychological Sciences at Texas Tech University.
Amelia E. Evans
Amelia E. Evans is a doctoral student in the Counseling Psychology program, housed in the Department of Psychological Sciences at Texas Tech University.
Sheila Garos
Sheila Garos is an associate professor of counseling psychology at Texas Tech University. Her research interests include human sexual behavior, behavioral addictions, women's sexual health, and women's objectification of other women.