More than 40 years ago, Philip Zimbardo oversaw the Stanford Prison Experiment—one of psychology’s best-known and most controversial studies. Now Zimbardo is interested in the changing face of masculinity. In his new book, Man (Dis)Connected: How Technology Has Sabotaged What it Means to Be Male, and What Can Be Done, Zimbardo chronicles his latest research, which suggests that pornography and video games are increasingly causing men to disconnect from the world around them.
How Porn and Video Games Change Masculinity
Zimbardo’s latest research began with surveys of more than 20,000 men. The questionnaires explored the men’s relationships with porn and video games, as well as their daily lives and social interactions. The results, Zimbardo says, show high rates of addiction to both pornography and video games.
Zimbardo says it’s not the time men spend with porn and video games that matters; it’s how they relate to these sources of stimulation. Men increasingly find themselves eager to return to their virtual worlds when they’re engaging with the real world. For instance, a student might be unable to focus in class because he’s fixated on returning home to play an online role-playing game.
Zimbardo’s research also suggests that excessive time spent online is increasingly seen as normal. He cites one woman who saw no problem with her son spending 15 hours a day playing video games.
Are Porn and Video Games Harming Relationships?
The role that pornography plays in romantic relationships is the subject of much controversy. Some advocates argue that porn supplants real relationships and real intimacy; others say it can improve relationships and educate about sex. Zimbardo suggests that pornography may lead to erectile dysfunction, even in very young men. Pornography is highly stimulating and requires no real effort, the argument goes, so when a man has to fulfill a partner’s needs, the pressure to perform can be too much. Moreover, “real” sex may simply be less stimulating than porn. This theory is a controversial one, though, with some research suggesting there’s no connection between porn and erectile dysfunction.
Zimbardo says negative media portrayals of men, which present them as lazy, sloppy, and incompetent, don’t help matters. He suggests that real intimacy and relationships are keys to preventing a crisis in masculinity. Though much sex education focuses on safety and biology, Zimbardo says one way to address this issue would be to teach adolescent boys about safety, commitment, pleasure, and love.
Zimbardo conducted a TED Talk on the same topic in 2011.
References:
- Bolton, D. (2015, May 10). Porn and video game addiction leading to ‘masculinity crisis’, says Stanford psychologist. Retrieved from http://www.independent.co.uk/news/science/porn-and-video-game-addiction-are-leading-to-masculinity-crisis-says-stanford-prison-experiment-psychologist-10238211.html
- Daly, J. (2012, May 23). New TED ebook warns of the demise of guys. Retrieved from http://blog.ted.com/new-ted-ebook-warns-of-the-demise-of-guys/
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