one. For example, virtually none of those surveyed reported that it led them to commit rape or made them “sexy crazy,” while 24% said it gave them information about sex, and 10% said that it improved their sexual relations. Even in situations where respondents believed that erotica had negative effects, they assumed these effects happened to other people, not themselves. More recent national surveys only broadly describe respondents’ concern about the pervasiveness of pornography in the U.S. society. Studies of trends in public opinion on permissiveness toward pornography suggest a complex pattern of shifting levels of tolerance for these materials. Some investigators conclude that support for government regulation of pornography rose rapidly from 1975 to 1977 and then fell between 1977 to 1982.The sexual arousal studies conducted by the 1970 commission indicated that exposure to pornography tends to result in an only transitory increase in masturbation or coitus among those already habitually engaging in these activities. On the whole, individuals became less excited and more bored with continued viewing of sexually explicit materials. A study by Donnerstein, Hawkins, Christensen, illustrates this effect. Men were first shown a sexually explicit film. During the following 3 weeks they were given the opportunity to view sexually explicit materials for 90 minutes a day, 5 days a week. In the 5th week, and again about 8 weeks after that, the men were shown the same sexually explicit film. Results showed that with the passage of time the men were less physiologically responsive to sexual materials and showed less interest in the materials. In addition, the men became more liberal in their attitudes regarding pornography. Following massive exposure to sexual materials, they felt that pornography would not harm adults or stable adolescents and were less inclined to endorse controls on the sale and distribution...
