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Thursday,
February 26, 2004 |
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Pornography
affects male view of women
Studies
by a communication studies professor cited in Time and
Health show pornography contributes to stereotypical gender
perceptions.
By
Liddy
Serio
Staff Reporter
Watching pornography affects more than just the viewer,
according to an online survey conducted by a TCU communication
studies professor. The study has gained national recognition
for its implications that pornography contributes to stereotypical
submissive views some men have of women.
Communication studies professor Ryan Burns conducted an
online survey in which participants were asked to rate
their opinions of how they view women in gender roles.
The results showed that men who view large amounts of
pornography view women in sexualized, stereotypically
feminine terms.
Burns said that while he did not think the survey would
change how men viewed pornography, he hopes it will lead
to a greater understanding of its effects.
“I think the overarching outcome at this study was
that it showed negative effects of pornography,”
Burns said. “If it does anything, it will hopefully
lead to an understanding that pornography changes perception.”
The survey was presented at the 2003 National Communication
Association Convention in Miami. Burns said a public relations
firm in Pennsylvania that works for TCU sent out a press
release about the survey, which was picked up by Time
and Health.
“It’s good ol’ American PR,” he said.
The survey also showed how men view their own gender.
Participants who watched large amounts of pornography
said the typical man should be successful, a hard worker
and a provider for the family.
Michelle Mazur, a communication studies professor at the
University of Hawaii, has used Burns’ research in
her teaching, and is not surprised it was cited in Time.
“His research area is a hot topic in our cultural
climate right now,” she said.
Burns, started collecting data for the survey, “Male
Internet Pornography Consumers’ Perception of Women
and Endorsement of Traditional Female Gender Roles,”
in 2000. He came to TCU in 2002 and finished it in 2003.
Burns said he was prompted to do the study because of
massive amounts of pornography on the Internet and the
tremendous use of it for making money.
“The sheer use of this medium makes it an important
topic to study,” he said.
Chris Sawyer, a communication studies professor, said
the survey was unique in that it looked at pornography
from a social science perspective. He said that better
understanding of the sociological effects of pornography
could lead to practical applications.
“It may be that if we knew more about the subject,
we might be able to develop ways to treat people with
addictions,” he said.
Burns said 95 percent of research on pornography utilizes
lab research by measuring students’ reactions to
pornography while in a lab setting. The problem with this
method is that people will respond differently if they
know they are being watched, Burns said.
Burns posted information about the survey online on adult
message boards and newsgroups, and it was participated
in by 463 men of varying age and race, the majority of
which said they were in relationships. Burns said he was
mostly concerned with men’s opinions since they are
the primary producers and consumers of pornography.
The survey was groundbreaking because it actually examined
men who actively watch pornography, Mazur said.
“What’s unique about this is that it is one
of the first studies that looked at habitual consumers
in their own setting through a very private medium,”
Burns said. “Before the Internet, the only way to
get this information would have been to stand outside
adult bookstores and pass out surveys.” |
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