FINALLY: Researchers reveal that sex does not sell
FREE Catholic Classes
Maybe sex doesn't sell after all. This is what studies reveal in a recent academic journal released by the Psychological Bulletin.
Highlights
Catholic Online (https://www.catholic.org)
8/20/2015 (9 years ago)
Published in Business & Economics
Keywords: Advertising, media, sex and violence
MUNTINLUPA CITY, PHILIPPINES (Catholic Online) - Violence and sex in commercials does not appear to sell anymore. Compared to themes and content that are neutral, sex and violence oriented commercials sell less.
A study published by the academic journal Psychological Bulletin reports that violent and sexual television programming and advertisements impair the viewer's memory. These types of themed videos and media divert the viewer's attention from the product being advertised. This is what Brad Bushman explained, as the co-author of the study. Bushman is a professor of communication and psychology at Ohio State University.
The results were based on the analysis of 53 previous experiments.
"Results were similar when ads themselves contained sexual or violent content," Bushman added. "It never helps to have violence and sex in commercials. It either hurts, or has no effect at all."
The study further explained that the brands are advertised in violent contexts are often less remembered and are often less evaluated favorably by the buying market. The nonviolent media and advertisements deliver messages to the consumers vividly and clearly, making them a favorable option compared to the sexual and violent themed ones.
The study suggests that advertising with sexual content is detrimental and offers less or no success in marketing strategies.
Bushman previously examined prior experiments and research and didn't find a significant difference in how men and women reacted to the different types of advertising. However, a broader compilation of the study shows significant signs that violence and sex have a larger effect on male consumers.
The study is co-written by Robert B. Lull, a former Ohio State researcher who now works at the University of Pennsylvania's Annenberg Public Policy Center. He found that advertisers have already started to adapt the conclusions achieved from this study.
---
'Help Give every Student and Teacher FREE resources for a world-class Moral Catholic Education'
Copyright 2021 - Distributed by Catholic Online
Join the Movement
When you sign up below, you don't just join an email list - you're joining an entire movement for Free world class Catholic education.
-
- Easter / Lent
- Ascension Day
- 7 Morning Prayers
- Mysteries of the Rosary
- Litany of the Bl. Virgin Mary
- Popular Saints
- Popular Prayers
- Female Saints
- Saint Feast Days by Month
- Stations of the Cross
- St. Francis of Assisi
- St. Michael the Archangel
- The Apostles' Creed
- Unfailing Prayer to St. Anthony
- Pray the Rosary

Nearly Half of American Children Now Struggle with Chronic Health Issues — Anxiety and Depression Lead the Surge

Vatican Approves Devotion to Marian Apparitions in Slovakia—Without Declaring Them Supernatural

Pope Leo XIV: AI Must Uphold Human Dignity and Build a More Fraternal World
Daily Catholic
Daily Readings for Friday, July 11, 2025
St. Benedict of Nursia: Saint of the Day for Friday, July 11, 2025
Infant Jesus of Prague Novena Prayer: Prayer of the Day for Friday, July 11, 2025
Daily Readings for Thursday, July 10, 2025
Bl. Emmanuel Ruiz: Saint of the Day for Thursday, July 10, 2025
- Prayer to Our Lady of the Sacred Heart: Prayer of the Day for Thursday, July 10, 2025
Copyright 2025 Catholic Online. All materials contained on this site, whether written, audible or visual are the exclusive property of Catholic Online and are protected under U.S. and International copyright laws, © Copyright 2025 Catholic Online. Any unauthorized use, without prior written consent of Catholic Online is strictly forbidden and prohibited.
Catholic Online is a Project of Your Catholic Voice Foundation, a Not-for-Profit Corporation. Your Catholic Voice Foundation has been granted a recognition of tax exemption under Section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code. Federal Tax Identification Number: 81-0596847. Your gift is tax-deductible as allowed by law.