YNOT – An Australian postgraduate student at the University of Western Sydney has undertaken a study of internet porn in an attempt to fill what she calls “a research void.” Emma Pinn said her research will focus not only on why adults consume pornography, but also how technology impacts viewing habits.

Pinn is a candidate for a masters degree in clinical psychology. She hopes to determine whether porn viewing is primarily impulse-related or addictive, and whether the types of pornography adults seek may be related to other personality traits.

“There is quite a lot that we don’t know about online pornography and the associated problems of frequently engaging with this cyber world of fetish and fantasy,” told Australia’s Star Observer. “Do regular porn users have a habit of seeking out other new and varied sensations? Do they indulge in fantasies in other areas of their life?

“Answering these questions will go a long way toward understanding the psychology behind accessing online pornography, which may be useful when helping people whose habit is detrimentally affecting their lives.”

According to News.com.au, sexuality studies are rare in Australia, and scientific studies of internet pornography are almost nonexistent. Pinn wants to shed light into a relatively dark corner of the country’s collective psyche.

“We don’t know a lot about the Australian population and their use of pornography, their patterns,” Pinn told the website. “While we know a few things about internet pornography, we do not know a lot, and what we do know is mostly clinical anecdotes. There’s not a lot of data to back those up, so I’m undertaking a study to find that empirical data and also the impact pornography can have on relationships and sexual desire of partners.”

Pinn is seeking subjects 18 and older for her study. All participant data will be kept confidential. For more information, visit this web page or contact Pinn by email.

The research has been approved by the UWS Human Research Ethics Committee.