Abstract

Sexual objectification through the media, and the supposedly negative effects of pornography on attitudes and behaviour towards women, is regularly debated. However, findings for so-called “pornography effects” are highly inconsistent, due in part to a traditional over-reliance on self-report measures, and a lack of objective behavioural data. The objective of this study was to examine: (1) whether implicit cognition towards women (as measured by the IRAP) could be significantly altered through controlled exposure to varied video stimuli, (2) the relationship between these implicit indices and an overt behavioural outcome, and (3) whether any effects would be retained after 48 hours.

Design
Experimental: random allocation of participants to condition.

Method
Participants completed (1) self-report measures, including: basic demographic information (including current use of pornography), the Ambivalence Sexism Inventory, and the Acceptance of Modern Myths about Sexual Aggression Scale (AMMSA; Gerger, Kley, Bohner & Siebler, 2007) and (2) were randomly allocated to one of three conditions (i) adult consensual pornography, (ii) an interview with an inspiring female (Aung San Suu Kyi), or (iii) a neutral stimulus (penguins feeding).

Following exposure to video materials, participants were asked to (3) provide ratings of the researcher in terms of competency, intelligence, knowledge, friendliness and attentiveness (participants were misinformed that this information would not be shown to the researcher and was a supervisory requirement), and (4) return 48 hours later to complete the IRAP, ASI and AMMSA questionnaires again. Participants were then fully debriefed.

Results & Conclusions
Pre-publication data and results will be discussed at the meeting in relation to implicit prediction of overt behaviour.