Intellectual ability and reactions to pornography

Two studies examined the relation between intelligence and men's sexual att itudes and interpersonal behavior with a woman after viewing pornography. U ndergraduate men were assessed for IQ, viewed one of several films, then we re assessed on various dependent measures, including interpersonal behavior with a female confederate. Lower IQ men were more sexually suggestive to t he woman after viewing a sexually violent film than after viewing an nonvio lent erotic film; higher IQ men did not differ in suggestiveness as a funct ion of sexual film condition. In Study 2, lower IQ men were also physically closer to the woman after viewing a violent sexual film than after viewing a nonviolent erotic film; higher IQ men were less variable in proximity as a function of film condition. Results are discussed in relation to researc h suggesting that intelligence moderates influenceability, and to sex educa tion programs that help individuals critically evaluate antisocial content in the sexual media.