LIBERTY UNIVERSITY
JOHN W. RAWLINGS SCHOOL OF DIVINITY
Research Paper: PSYCHOLOGICAL EFFECTS OF PORNOGRAPHY AND THE
DESENSITIZATION OF MODERN SOCIETY
Submitted to Dr. Malcolm Hester
in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the completion of
THEO 650
Public Theology
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Abstract
This paper focuses on exploring the negative impact of pornography on social, psychological,
and spiritual values of relationships, family, and marriage in terms of the Biblical perspective.
The paper intends to capture the adverse impacts associated with pornography and the serious
long-term psychological issues that arise due to exposure to pornographic content for sexual
arousal. The paper begins with a review of the history of pornography, paying attention to the
ancient erotica, medieval times, and the 20th century. The overall trend about the increasing
popularity of porn around the world is discussed in terms of the opportunities given by the
Internet. Furthermore, the paper presents statistics about the interaction of people with
pornography, including how men and women perceive it. Some other details about porn
production and distribution are also discussed. To better understand how pornography is
viewed in society, the paper involves legal foundations that are established in Asia, Western
countries, and Africa. While child pornography is prohibited, laws vary depending on a
certain country’s cultural and religious specifics. Based on relevant sources, the paper argues
that pornography watching leads to social desensitization, which can be traced in families,
relationships between partners, adults, and adolescents. The first argument demonstrates that
people engaged in violent porn video watching are more likely to exercise aggressive
behaviors of domination. According to the second argument, the value of family ties decreases
since spouses develop unrealistic expectations regarding their partners. The adolescents
engaged in porn video observation are prone to have challenges with appropriate body image
and self-concept perceptions. On a larger scale, the negative spiritual outcomes of
pornography refer to destructing the principles of righteousness and gentleness, thus creating a
barrier between a person and God.
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Outline
1. Introduction. In the modern world, pornography is not considered as something
extraordinary, and the industry grows rapidly. However, the issues related to its impact on
sexual behavior, relationships, and marriage appear.
2. Pornography history and modern perceptions. The statistics regarding the pornography
industry shows that it is a multi-billion area that develops rapidly. The number of
watchers tends to increase, and the time spent to watch also raises. Not only adults, but
also adolescents are engaged in this industry, while men are more likely to spend more
time for it.
3. Legal foundation in different regions: Asia, Western countries, and Africa. Many
countries lack laws that determine the production and distribution of pornography, while
the Internet pornography is legal in the majority of European countries and the US. i
4. Adverse impacts of pornography on society: Society desensitization.
4.1 i i i i Aggressive sexual behaviors. Violence in pornography, as well as performances that
significantly stimulate the imagination, can lead to real-life aggression, such as
rape, harassment, spanking, and other forms of domination.
4.2 i i i i Reduced value of family: Unrealistic expectations and normality distortions. People
who watch porn videos observe thrills and incredible performances, while they are
not characteristic of the reality. As a result, spouses lose their senses to the partners,
expecting that they can also behave like in videos. It damages spouses’ self-esteem
and creates dissatisfaction.
4.3 i i i i Pornography and adolescents. Internet-enabled technology provides great
opportunities to access pornographic websites. Considering higher sensitivity and
unformed identity of adolescents, their perception of body image, self-concept, and
special development may suffer.
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4.4 i i i i Spiritual effects of pornography. When a person watches pornography, he or she
creates a wall between him or her and God. Pornography violates the principles of
righteousness, gentleness, and acceptance, which means that sinful behaviors of lie,
pretense, and aggression will be present. i
5. Conclusion. Pornography causes serious long-term psychological issues, such as
Aggressive sexual behaviors, desensitization in relationships and families, and
disconnection with God, which appear as a result of the exposure to pornographic
content for sexual arousal.
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