Does Perceiving Explain Believing (and Doing)? Perceived Pornography Realism and Porn-Related Beliefs and Behaviors

Pornography consumption remains a common media behavior despite the ever-increasing proliferation of digital media options. A recent meta-analysis found evidence that higher rates of pornography consumption are associated with heightened perceptions of pornography’s realism, but the potential downstream effects of perceiving pornography as realistic have yet to receive a meta-analytic treatment. The present paper describes our efforts to conduct such a meta-analysis. To our surprise, there was a dearth of literature available. And yet, the extant research base suggests that perceived pornography realism may be associated with a number of sociologically, relationally, and personally impactful sexual beliefs and behaviors. Discussion centers on how interested scholars can move this important line of sexuality and culture research forward in the years to come.