USES OF EROTICA AND ACCEPTANCE OF RAPE MYTHS

This study considered two models of the effects of sexually explicit m aterials: a liberal model that holds that erotica is beneficial and ha s few negative effects and a feminist social responsibility model that believes that use of sexually explicit materials contributes to negat ive beliefs about women. This study tested the contribution of reasons for using sexually explicit materials to beliefs in gender-role stere otypes about women and sexual conservatism, and acceptance of rape myt hs. Questionnaires were completed by 569 college students. Four motive s for using erotica were identified: Sexual Enhancement, Diversion, Se xual Release, and Substitution. Sexual Enhancement was positively rela ted to holding stereotyped and conservative beliefs about women and se x Diversion and Sexual Enhancement were also indirectly related to gre ater acceptance of rape myths. Sexual Release was negatively linked an d substitution was positively linked to acceptance of rape myths. The discussion highlights areas of support for the two models and points o ut the importance of future research to mitigate the effects of exposu re.