Wondering if Porn Is Cheating? Find out what psychology experts say about whether Porn Is Cheating.
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When do people watch porn? At night? In the middle of the day? Well, yes, both are true.
But according to one study, there appear to be certain times of the year when people watch porn more than others. Surprisingly or not, the times of the year for watching more porn also matched the seasons.
When are the peak seasons for people to watch porn? Winter and late summer.
Here's more about what the study found:
Researchers at Villanova examined the Google trends for such commonly-searched-for terms as "porn," "xxx," "xxvideos" ... and other, more descriptive phrases . . . Once they'd gathered those terms, the authors examined them in Google Trends. And what they found was a defined cycle featuring clear peaks and valleys -- recurring at discernible six-month intervals. The cycle maps surprisingly well to the world's calendar seasons.
Other internet searches don't follow the same patterns. The researchers also ran a control group consisting of Google searches for non-sexual terms. And those terms demonstrated no such cyclical pattern.
So there's something about sex itself, it seems. Porn is periodical. Which is born out by another (semi-)control in the Villanova experiment. Researchers determined search terms associated with a relatively purpose-driven category of sexytime -- prostitution and dating websites -- and found that, for those terms ... the six-month cycle showed up again (On The Internet, Porn Has Seasons, Too).
Are there other answers to the question, when do people watch porn, besides the times of the year? Yep.
There is another way to consider this question as well. When during the day do people watch porn? As you will see below, those times can vary a lot due to one of the primary reasons people watch porn in the first place – opportunity.
At Guy Stuff we've learned through our years of treating porn addictions there are several common factors that affect porn viewing.
The most common factor that comes to mind for most people is that people watch porn when they’re not having sex.
It’s commonly, but mistakenly, believed that how much sex a person is having contributes to porn viewing. Men often blame not having sex for why they watch internet porn. In actuality, having sex or not having sex is not a significant contributor to when people watch porn.
Does not having sex influence watching porn?strong> Sure, but it’s not a cause of it.
Opportunity to watch porn is actually a key factor for when people will watch porn. But opportunity takes a couple of different forms.
First, having the access to porn, which most commonly today is accessed through the Internet and on devices like smartphones, tablets and laptop computers.
Second, having time to watch, which supports the seasons of the year findings. Since in winter and late summer people are spending more time indoors.
Since porn is almost always watched individually, being alone is another contributor to when porn is watched. If there isn't alone time, I’ve found that men will often create it by doing things like staying up late alone or isolating themselves in a separate room of the house.
Because porn is so portable these days – we all carry access to the internet with is all day long – finding an opportunity to watch porn is easier than ever. In bathrooms, cars, sitting in the garage, even at work behind closed doors still happens despite the significant risks.
So, if you have the right device, internet access, and have somewhere you can isolate yourself, you can watch porn. And for many the ease makes the temptations too hard to resist. And this is true regardless of whether they’re having regular sex or not.
Boredom is also a common reason men give for watching porn. Although boredom is a contributor, it is not a core drive for when people watch porn. What is a core driver for watching porn is mood. When people are unhappy, depressed, and most frequently stressed, they watch porn to cope with how they feel.
Porn for many is a release. The sexual excitement and endorphins released have the same effect as a drug. And most of us know having an orgasm can be euphoric. So, for the men (and women too) who watch porn, it’s considered a harmless way to release tension and stress.
Sadly, however, porn is far from harmless. Whether it’s winter, spring, mid-day or night, porn can become a big problem in a person’s life and relationships. Regular porn viewing can render a person unable to achieve sexual satisfaction and intimacy with a real person they love. In fact, another negative effect is that porn use has been linked to erectile dysfunction in men.
Who would have thought that there are cycles, particularly certain times of the year, when people watch porn? But it's not surprising when you really understand all the real reasons people watch porn.
What do you think? When do people watch porn in your opinion? If you know someone who watches porn, what have you discovered about when they watch? Please share your insights with other readers below.
Editor's Note: This post was originally published January 26, 2013 and has been updated with new information for accuracy and comprehensiveness.
Wondering if Porn Is Cheating? Find out what psychology experts say about whether Porn Is Cheating.
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My husband mine as well go ahead and be with another woman since he already jerks off to porn/other ladies and doesn't do it to me nor does he have sex with me, or make love. nothing.
He gives it to other girls that are more his style I guess? He fantasy fu#ks them. To me the difference between his mind and body being with other women is no different than if his mind and body are with a tangible one. It hurts just the same.
Of course the latter I MIGHT 'prefer' b/c at least she can bring emotions to the table probably making it less desirable for him but then again he'll probably choose a call girl. He has in the past! There's at least two that I know of, one was with his ex-wife when they had a threesome, then another when (I think) he was separated with his wife.
He's told me in the past, after I found out he watches porn, when I spent almost ten years believing him that he did not b/c he has me blah, blah...
At first he denied watching it then reluctantly was truthful (essentially he had no choice b/c there was no denying it) and told me it was none of my god damn business! Hmmm I think it is when we are not having sex. He said any man who told you he doesn't is a liar and he will never tell me the truth about it again.
I guess it's a couple months later and now claims he has not since he knows how much it bothers me.
I guess a decent summation would be I ruined it for him?
I told him that physically he needs to 'release' especially if he was doing so in the past and he has not 'released' with me :'( Hence he must be releasing with the other internet gals as he's done all along :'(
He is expecting I will believe him AGAIN that he has not 'released' to porn or other women, which of course I do not. I KNOW he has been,and I don't think he'll ever stop 🙁
I wish he wouldn't play me as gullible and dumb. I would appreciate his candor and perhaps try (again) to explore what is it that these other women can 'have' you and I cannot? You know, try to work with it as opposed to against it which gets us nowhere!
FYI
1) I do not mean to sound cocky (no pun intended HeeHee) but I am by no means unattractive! My measurements surpass some playboy gals, I think (& I've been told) my face is beautiful/stunning and I can make heads turn even in my jammy pants, no make-up (which I don't really wear anyway) and messed up hair. Of course there is always room for improvements-I'm a perfectionist and of course a woman 😉 I am also highly educated and he is too.
2) My husband is in his early 50s and I am in my late thirties.
I think my hubby is the epitome of what a 'dream' man should be. He doesn't think so but I sure do! He's also loving, kind, giving, brilliant, the hardest working man I know, and I could go on & on but this 'one' thing has shredded my heart.
3) Our past love life could be described as worse than rabbits:)!!!!! Hmmm, all or nothing?
I accounted his lack of drive was due to some medicines he began to take, his age, and life stressors. His medicine does play a role but I guess not too much since he's been active all along, just without me 🙁
The pain can be overwhelming at times. I just don't understand him wanting to be with the Internet gals (or whomever he is with) other than me or somehow including me or 'cueing' me into his world. I don't think he does any live via computer cam interaction sex, or visits chat rooms etc I think it's mostly porn, or some movie stars he's been (secretively) obsessed with.
I sadly think on occasion that I will be a born-again virgin forever and that sucks especially since I am in my prime. I cannot even fathom NEVER having sex again! OMG :0!!!
I want him, I want it badly but nothing :'( I've tried dressing up, talking sexy, etc to no avail. I really do not anymore b/c I can no longer take the rejection NOW that I know what's he's been up to-another pun LOL;)
I know I cannot believe him (again) as much as I want to. :'(
okay, here I go playing dumb (AGAIN) perhaps that is why he has treated me so. Hmm think I had an epiphany!
Do you think it's POSSIBLE he is being truthful this time?
Yes, I know, if WAS READING THIS I would be thinking REALLY?!? Are you serious! OMG how could you even say that! What the heck are you thinking! etc etc.
Please help!
advice, constructive criticism, ANYTHING!
I'm at a complete loss.
I appreciate whomever stuck this out and read what I wrote.
It means A LOT to me especially when I have no one else to share this with.
Thank you.
Sounds like he may have NPD Narcissistic Personality Disorder and you're the victim of "narcissistic abuse". There are support groups for women (and men) who are victims of this type of abuse. Do some research and good luck!
Hi, i really apreciate your openness,you must be very hurt in there sorry.