Using vignette methodology to study comfort with consensual and nonconsensual depictions of pornography content

ABSTRACT

Spanking, whipping, and choking are examples of aggressive behaviours that can be performed in consensual sexual encounters. However, within the pornography research literature, such behaviours are often perceived as being nonconsensual, categorised as ‘violent’, and argued to predict sexual aggression. Viewing nonconsensual pornography may be associated with negative attitudes towards consent; however, viewing consensual pornography that features typically violent behaviour may not. In this study, we sought to more clearly distinguish between consensual and nonconsensual pornography depictions by using vignettes to examine individuals’ consent attitudes in relation to these pornographic vignettes. We also sought to assess the hypothesis that more frequent pornography engagement will be associated with greater comfort with the nonconsensual vignettes. A series of pornography vignettes were developed by the researchers and categorised by a group of sexual consent experts as ‘consensual’ or ‘nonconsensual’ vignettes during a three-round Delphi study. The finalised vignettes were administered to a convenience sample of Irish university students (n = 1121). More frequent pornography engagement was not associated with greater comfort with the nonconsensual vignettes. Greater comfort with the nonconsensual pornography vignettes was negatively associated with attitudes towards establishing consent and the endorsement of sexual consent norms.

KEYWORDS:

• Consent
• pornography
• vignette
• college Students
• quantitative

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the authors.

Additional information

Funding

This study was not supported by any funding body.

Notes on contributors

Kate Dawson

Dr Kate Dawson is a post-doctoral researcher with the Active Consent Programme at the School of Psychology, NUIG. Kate’s research interests include pornography, sexual consent and aggressive behaviour, sex education and adolescent health.

Chris Noone

Dr Chris Noone is a lecturer at the School of Psychology, NUIG. Chris is a graduate of NUI Galway and Leiden University. Chris has been involved in research in health, cognitive and LGBT+ psychology.

Saoirse Nic Gabhainn

Saoirse Nic Gabhainn is a Professor in Health Promotion and Project Leader in the Health Promotion Research Centre and the World Health Organisation Collaborative Centre for Health Promotion Research.

Padraig MacNeela

Dr. Padraig Mac Neela is a Senior Lecturer at the School of Psychology, NUIG. Padraig leads the Active Consent programme and research team. Padraigs research interests include sexual health, youth research, community engagement and risky behaviour.