The Pornography “How-To” Script: The Moderating Role of Consent Attitudes on Pornography Consumption and Sexual Refusal Assertiveness

College students report turning to pornography for guidance regarding sexual expectations and norms. Similarly, research has shown that compulsive pornography exposure (i.e. extreme amounts of viewing and dependence on pornography) leads to an engagement in risky sexual behaviors. This is problematic considering the high rates of sexual assault in college campuses. In light of this, the present study examined whether compulsive pornography exposure was associated with college students’ sexual refusal assertiveness, and whether this relationship would be moderated by consent attitudes. Data were collected from 266 college students who regularly watched pornography (Mage = 20.60, SD = 2.77, 45.1% female). Results showed that compulsive pornography exposure was negatively associated with sexual refusal assertiveness. An interaction emerged such that the association between compulsive pornography exposure and sexual refusal assertiveness was only significant for those who believed consent was less important, whereas this did not occur for those who believed consent was more important. Our results are unpacked in light of sexual script-based theories.