Evaluating the Dimensionality of Pornography

Abstract

Pornography may be a construct with a single trait or one with many traits. Research in the past was inconsistent in this regard with most researchers assuming that pornography was unidimensional (with one single trait of pornography). However, the considerable amounts of residual variation found in these studies beyond that explained by the single trait hints at what might be a multidimensional construct (with multiple traits such as sensitization and differentiation). Consequently, in this study, we intended to address the question of whether pornography consisted of a single trait or if it was multidimensional. Using MTurk, 2173 participants from the United States and the Commonwealth of Nations (in which pornography is not strictly illegal) were recruited and asked to rate how pornographic they thought a list of different depictions were. The data were analyzed utilizing the cross-validation procedure in which two subsamples were created from the main sample and one was used to establish the model building and the other to validate the model. Various models, including first-order and higher-order exploratory and confirmatory factor models, were tested. Results indicated that a bi-factor (multidimensional) model generated the best model fit, and that it was most appropriate to consider pornography multidimensional. The final model contained two dimensions (“Sensitization” and “Differentiation”). While sensitization revealed the participants’ general tendency to rate all items to be more or less pornographic, differentiation revealed the participants’ tendency to differentiate highly pornographic items from less pornographic items. Based on the findings of this study, we suggest that future research on the usage and effects of pornography be conducted while taking into consideration the multidimensional nature of pornography.

Appendix: Perceptions Regarding Definition of Pornography

Consider the statements below and indicate if you believe they describe what you would consider pornography.

• 1. A picture of a couple having sex, the women’s breasts are shown but neither partner’s genitalia are shown.

• 2. A swimsuit issue of a magazine showing models in skimpy swimsuits or strategically covered topless views in a variety of provocative poses.

• 3. A video showing a woman having sexual intercourse with an animal.

• 4. A television program showing the filming of a swimsuit edition of a magazine that shows models being filmed in a variety of provocative poses but no full nudity of breasts or genitalia.

• 5. An image of a woman alone posing in a suggestive way with underwear on.

• 6. A video showing two naked women or men manually stimulating each other.

• 7. A novel that includes one graphic depiction of sexual intercourse.

• 8. An image of a woman alone posing in a suggestive way with exposed breasts and panties on.

• 9. An image of a woman alone posing in a suggestive way without any clothing on.

• 10. A short video depicting a couple having consensual sex. The women’s breasts are shown but neither partner’s genitalia are shown.

• 11. An image of a man alone posing in a suggestive way with only underwear on.

• 12. An image of a heterosexual couple having sex which shows the man’s penis penetrating the woman.

• 13. A detailed description in writing of a couple passionately kissing and touching each other’s clothed bodies and describing their arousal.

• 14. A video showing two naked women or men kissing each other.

• 15. A major Hollywood film or movie that includes one graphic sexual encounter.

• 16. An image of a man alone posing in a suggestive way without any clothing on.

• 17. A detailed description in writing of a couple engaging in foreplay and sex that includes mention of specific sexual body parts that are touched and aroused as sexual acts are performed.

• 18. A television show focused on strippers that includes multiple instances of blurred nudity.

• 19. A video of a woman or man alone masturbating.

• 20. A video that graphically depicts a three-way sexual encounter.