Groupthink in Sex and Pornography “Addiction”: Sex-Negativity, Theoretical Impotence, and Political Manipulation

The widespread application of an addiction model to pornography viewing and sexual behavior (henceforth “sex addiction”) is inaccurate, misleading, and likely harmful to patients. Although it has become increasingly popular for academics, professionals, and lay people to describe sexual behaviors as “addictive,” basic science has falsified core predictions of the “sex addiction” model. Better models for understanding sexual shame, including socio-historical and cultural contexts, are discussed. Various socially unacceptable sexualities, including homosexuality, followed a similar sociological trajectory attempting to reframe personal and religious values as a public health threat. Mental health practitioners perpetuate these myths due to a longstanding resistance to use research-supported treatments that challenge their current profit model. Finally, the intentional adoption of neuroscience jargon for widespread political manipulation and social control is characterized.