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Evaluating the Dimensionality of Pornography.
Dean M Busby1, Hsin-Yao Chiu2, Joseph A Olsen2
1School of Family Life, Brigham Young University, 2086 JFSB, Provo, UT, 84602, USA. dean_busby@byu.edu.
Archives of Sexual Behavior
|April 2, 2017
Summary
Pornography is best understood as a multidimensional construct, not a single trait. This study found two key dimensions: sensitization and differentiation, impacting how individuals perceive and categorize pornographic content.
Area of Science:
- Psychology
- Media Studies
Background:
- Previous research inconsistently treated pornography as unidimensional.
- Significant unexplained variance suggested a multidimensional nature.
- The construct of pornography requires clarification regarding its dimensionality.
Purpose of the Study:
- To empirically investigate whether pornography is a unidimensional or multidimensional construct.
- To determine the underlying dimensions of pornography perception.
Main Methods:
- Recruited 2173 participants via MTurk from the US and Commonwealth nations.
- Utilized a cross-validation procedure with two subsamples for model building and validation.
- Tested various first-order and higher-order exploratory and confirmatory factor models.
Main Results:
- A bi-factor (multidimensional) model demonstrated the best fit for the data.
- Pornography was confirmed as a multidimensional construct.
- Identified two primary dimensions: Sensitization (general tendency) and Differentiation (item discrimination).
Conclusions:
- Pornography should be conceptualized as multidimensional.
- Future research on pornography usage and effects must account for its complex nature.
- The dimensions of Sensitization and Differentiation offer a more nuanced understanding.