November 13, 2012 | Sex Life

Does watching porn affect your behavior?

Many people assume that watching porn can influences one's sexual behavior. But a new study concludes that there are many factors that come into consideration when sexual activity moves from watching on a screen to playing with others. 

The study, published in the current issue of Sexual and Relationship Therapy, asked men if they base their sexual activities on what they see in porn. Most said yes, but with qualifications. The behavior had to  satisfy certain visual, physical or emotional desires, and to seem safe. 

Obviously something has to be arousing before men want to replicate it in real life. So if you are really turned on by watching fisting videos, you might be willing to try it ; on the other "hand," it's more likely that even if you like to watch fisting videos you aren't going  to try it because of a concern of pain or injury.   

Another important factor to the survey participants about "trying it at home" was whether they have a “trusted partner” with whom to experiment. They had to feel "safe" trying something with their partner. Lacking this, participants indicated that they settled for the visual fantasy and did not look to take it further.

As one member of the study group put it, “One of the reasons I watch porn is to see things I would never do in real life.”