5. Media & Sex Flashcards
sexual media
Any representation of sex or sexual themes (really broad definition)
What can the definition of sexual media include
- sexual behaviour (Kissing, flirting, holding hands)
- Suggestions of sexual behaviour (Two people going into bedroom and closing door, Even if not seeing anything, it implies sex)
- sexual talk
amount of sexual content in mainstream TV & TEEN-orientated
70-80%
amount of sexual content in TWEEN-orientated
less– Sexual talk (70%) > sexual beaviour (35%),
intercourse (11%) -> varies in genre
which genre has more sexual content
dramas and sitcoms NOT reality or children’s
sexual content in movies and G-rated?
80% and 65%
content in music?
40% lyrics, 60-80% music videos
negative consequences of sexual behaviour in media
most commonly emotional/social -> pregnancy, STIs, perceptions of other people
positive consequences of sexual behaviour in media
most commonly emotional/social -> feelings of pleasure, positive perceptions
- Emotional/social = how do your friends or parents think about you, etc.
most common script?
heterosexual -> men pursue sex; sex as a defining aspect of masculinity, (To be manly, you have to want sex)
- Women are pursued; women as sex objects
Sexual socialization
the process by which our sexual knowledge, values, attitudes, and behaviours develop
- Sexual development as influenced by more than biology → parents, peers, religion, culture, media
Third-person effect
Teens think that media impacts sexual development for others, but not themselves
Sexualization
- A person’s value comes from their sexual appeal/behaviour
- A person is held to a standard that equates attractiveness with being sexy
Sexual objectification
A person is made into a “thing” for the sexual use of others; sexual objectification
is sexual socialization normal and linked with negative outcomes?
YES and NO
is sexualization normal and linked with negative outcomes?
NO and YES (^ depression, lower self esteem, ^ sexual dysfunction)
Who are more likely to be modelled? (social cognitive)
characters who are similar and have positive traits
cultivation theory
Long-term, repeated consumption of media depictions of sexual themes will shape attitudes and beliefs
what influences cultivation theory
higher amounts of consumption (Watching TV depicting high levels of sexual behaviour might lead you to think all teens are having sex, media is seen as being accurate even though this is not true)
cultural script? (provided by media)
men initiate/desire sex
- Sex is acceptable ONLY in a relationship
interpersonal scripts?
how people believe they should act within their own sexual behaviour/particular circumstance
- “I’m out at the bar, so I won’t go up to that guy I think is cute; I will wait until I am pursued”
intrapsychic scripts
personal motives, fantasies, mental rehearsals
- What you actually want or expect things to go
- “I actually want to pursuit the man” → diverges from script or cultural scenario
Not uncommon!! Men often say they want to be pursued too!
Media practice model
Assumes media use is an active process; The media user plays a role in what effect media has; Sense of self, identity, and lived experience contributes
when is media most impactful
during adolescence -> identity development is an active process, current sense of identity will impact the role of media, and media will impact identity