In a 2016 study, researchers attempted to replicate earlier studies that men watched who were shown erotic images subsequently rated their opposite-sex partners less attractive. The replication attempt found no evidence for this alleged effect.
Kenrick, Gutierres, and Goldberg (1989; Study 2) demonstrated that men, but not women, in committed relationships exposed to erotic images of opposite-sex others reported lower ratings for their partner’s sexual attractiveness (d = 0.91) and less love for their partner (d = 0.69) than men exposed to images of abstract art. This research has implications for understanding the possible effects of erotica on men in relationships, but has not been replicated. We conducted three preregistered, high-powered close replications, and meta-analyzed the effects of the original and replication studies. We did not find support for the original finding that exposure to attractive images of opposite-sex others affects males’ ratings of their partners’ sexual attractiveness or love for their partner.