Psicothema was founded in Asturias (northern Spain) in 1989, and is published jointly by the Psychology Faculty of the University of Oviedo and the Psychological Association of the Principality of Asturias (Colegio Oficial de Psicología del Principado de Asturias).
We currently publish four issues per year, which accounts for some 100 articles annually. We admit work from both the basic and applied research fields, and from all areas of Psychology, all manuscripts being anonymously reviewed prior to publication.
Borja Paredes1, Luz Martínez2, Ubaldo Cuesta2, Pablo Briñol1, Richard Petty3, and Lorena Moreno1
Background: The Problematic Pornography Use Scale (PPUS) was originally designed to help predicting pornography consumption. Despite the frequency with which this scale is used in the scientific literature, there is still relatively little evidence regarding the predictive validity of this important instrument. This current research introduces a construct capable of improving the ability of the scale to predict pornography consumption (meta-cognitive certainty). Method: Over two studies, participants completed the PPUS and the meta-cognitive certainty in their responses to the scale was measured (Study 1) or manipulated (Study 2). Self-reported porn consumption was the criterion measure in both studies, with an additional actual overt behavior relevant to consumption of porn included in Study 2. Results: As expected, the PPUS significantly predicted porn consumption, confirming the predictive validity of the scale. More importantly, meta-cognitive certainty was capable of moderating the extent to which scores on the PPUS could predict porn consumption, with greater consistency between the PPUS and reported behavior from those with high (vs. low) meta-cognitive certainty. Conclusions: These data suggest that considering meta-cognitive certainty may be useful for predicting when the link between the PPUS and porn consumption is stronger.
El Papel de Certeza Metacognitiva en el Consumo de Porno. Introducción: la Escala Problemática de Uso de Porno (EPUS) fue diseñada para predecir consumo de pornografía. A pesar de la frecuencia con la que es utilizada en la literatura científica, hay aún relativamente poca evidencia con respecto a la validez predictiva de este importante instrumento. La presente investigación introduce un constructo capaz de mejorar la habilidad de la escala para predecir el consumo de porno. Método: en dos estudios, los participantes completaron la EPUS y la certeza meta-cognitiva en sus respuestas a la escala fue medida (Estudio 1) o manipulada (Estudio 2). El consumo de porno auto-informado fue la variable dependiente en ambos estudios, con una medida conductual adicional en el Estudio 2. Resultados: de acuerdo con las predicciones, la EPUS predijo significativamente el consumo de porno, confirmando la validez predictiva de la escala. De mayor relevancia, la certeza meta-cognitiva moderó hasta qué punto la EPUS podía predecir el consumo de porno, con mayor consistencia entre la EPUS y la conducta informada para aquellos con alta (vs. baja) certeza meta-cognitiva. Conclusiones: estos datos sugieren que considerar la certeza meta-cognitiva puede ser útil para predecir cuándo la conexión entre la EPUS y el consumo de porno es más fuerte.
SPANISH
ENGLISH
https://doi.org/10.7334/psicothema2021.8