Generation XXX

Carroll et al. / Pornography and Emerging Adulthood 9
Using clinical samples, this line of research has begun to identify potential links
between pornography compulsion and individual problems (Philaretou,
Mahfouz, & Allen, 2005) and potential couple dynamics (R. M. Bergner &
Bridges, 2002). Although criminal and clinical research studies examine a
number of unique questions, they are typically based on nonnormative
samples with existing disorders and are fairly limited in scope, in that they
address only extremes of pornography addiction, psychopathology, and
criminal behavior. We focus our review here on research that has been done
with normative samples and that addresses correlates and outcomes of
pornography use and acceptance among emerging adults.
A small number of studies have examined pornography use in the general
population (Cooper, Delmonico, Griffin-Shelly, & Mathy, 2004; Cooper et al.,
2000; Cooper, Galbreath, & Becker, 2004; Cooper, Putnam, Planchon, &
Boies, 1999) and have found that pornography use is highest among individuals
aged 18–25 (Buzzell, 2005b). Research conducted to date suggests that
approximately 50% of college students report viewing pornography on the
Internet (Boies, 2002; Goodson et al., 2001). Goodson and colleagues (2001)
examined Internet pornography use among 506 college students and found
that 56% of men and 35% of women reported using the Internet for sex-related
information. Boies (2002) examined Internet pornography use among 1,100
university students and found that 72% of men and 24% of women reported
using the Internet to view pornography, with 11% of users viewing sexually
explicit materials once a week or more. Furthermore, those who reported
greater exposure to pornography were more likely to be sexually experienced,
report lower sexual anxiety, and have a higher number of sexual partners
(Morrison, Harriman, Morrison, Bearden, & Ellis, 2004).
In addressing the question of what motivates college students to participate
in pornography use on the Internet, Goodson et al. (2001) found that
30% of users reported accessing sexually explicit materials on the Internet
out of curiosity, 19% to become sexually aroused, and 13% as a means of
enhancing their offline sexual encounters. Boies (2002) found that a majority
(82%) reported that viewing sexually explicit material online was sexually
arousing, 40% reported that it satisfied curiosity, and 63% reported that
they learned new sexual techniques. Although there is a disparity between
the primary motivations for pornography use between these two studies, it
is clear that becoming sexually aroused and fulfilling curiosity are salient
motivations for Internet pornography use among emerging adults. Research
also suggests that emerging adults’ use of sexually explicit materials online
is primarily a solitary activity, with 35% of users reporting the use of
Internet pornography while alone, 18% with offline partners, and 15% in a