Rationale ---------- In a sample of *N* = 207 heterosexual relationships, we have previously found that while actors' and particularly partners' solitary pornography use is negatively related to sexual and relationship satisfaction (while controlling for shared pornography use), the interaction between actors' and partners' pornography use was positive, and largely mitigated the negative associations of actors' and partners' solitary pornography use when frequencies of partners' use was concordant (full results can be found [here][1]). More specifically, a significant positive interaction negated the negative association between partners' solitary pornography use and sexual satisfaction, and this effect was not moderated by, or subsumed by gender effects. In contrast, a significant positive interaction reduced the negative associations of actors' and partners' solitary pornography use and relationship satisfaction. While this interaction was not further moderated by gender, adding a main effect for gender in the model reduced the interaction term to marginal significance, as gender accounted for some variance in the relationship satisfaction. Importantly, frequency of shared pornography use was positively associated with both sexual and relationship satisfaction, even after controlling for actors' and partners' solitary pornography use, and the interaction between these variables. We have found very similar patterns of results in the same sample for the associations between dyadic pornography use and sexual communication as well as intimacy. Further, McNulty and Russel have independently reported essentially the same interaction effect when predicting sexual satisfaction, using couple members' enjoyment of pornography use in place of pornography use measures (McNulty, personal communication). Rogge (personal communication) has also independently reported that negative associations between actors' and partners' pornography use and variables assessing relationship functioning are diminished by the interaction between these variables. To further replicate these effects in a cross-sectional sample, pornography use measures (both solitary and shared) were embedded within a dyadic study of sexual ideals which also contained measures of sexual and relationship satisfaction. The primary goal of this study was to examine the association between matches / mismatches in sexual ideals and relationship functioning in a sample of *N* = 200 heterosexual couples. If the interaction effects replicate in this sample, we will consider exploring potential mechanisms that may underlie these effects in subsequent steps. Predictions ----------- Given the accumulating evidence, we predict that while partners' and potentially actors' solitary pornography use will be negatively associated with sexual satisfaction, the interaction between these two variables will be positive, and will either partially or fully mitigate the anticipated negative main effects. We also anticipate that this interaction will hold after controlling for shared pornography use, which will be positively associated with sexual satisfaction. We do not believe that these effects will be moderated or diminished by gender. We also predict that the negative associations between relationship satisfaction and actors' and partners' pornography use will be partially or fully reversed by the interaction between these variables. This interaction term should remain significant after controlling for shared pornography use, which will be positively associated with relationship satisfaction, but may be diminished by the inclusion of gender. We do not anticipate that these effects will be moderated by gender. Method ------ Four hundred participants (200 couples) were recruited from Qualtrics Panel, an online survey system. Participants were told that the purpose of this study was to better understand the individual’s sexual ideals and preferences and to assess the influence that sexual ideals have on relationships. Participants were first asked to fill out a questionnaire that assessed demographic information. Then, participants were asked to build a mental picture of their IDEAL sexual partner. Responding to a list of ideal traits previously generated in other studies, participants were asked to indicate how important each trait was to their concept of an ideal sexual partner, and to then rate the extent to which they believed their partner met this ideal. Participants were then asked about their perceptions of their partners' ideals and the extent to which they believed they met their partners' ideals. In all cases, participants were presented with a subset of items (30 items) that were common and non-redundant. Next, participants responded to a series of measures meant to examine relationship outcomes that could be associated with having greater accuracy versus bias in sexual ideal measures, and could predict the degree to which mismatch in ideals was important. Once all questionnaires were complete, participants were forwarded to a debriefing page where they were provided with debriefing information and were compensated for taking part in the study (full details of the method can be found [here][2]). **Pornography use was assessed with the following two items:** How frequently do you use pornography alone (i.e., without your partner)? - Never - Almost never - Less than once a month - 1-3 Times Per Month - 1-2 Times Per Week - 3-4 Times Per Week - About Once a Day - More Than Once A Day How frequently do you use pornography together with your partner? - Never - Almost never - Less than once a month - 1-3 Times Per Month - 1-2 Times Per Week - 3-4 Times Per Week - About Once a Day - More Than Once A Day **Sexual Satisfaction was assessed using Lawrence & Byers (1998) 5 item sexual satisfaction scale:** Please indicate which best describes your SEXUAL RELATIONSHIP 1. Bad 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. 7. Good Please indicate which best describes your SEXUAL RELATIONSHIP 1. Unpleasant 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. 7. Pleasant Please indicate which best describes your SEXUAL RELATIONSHIP 1. Unsatisfying 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. 7. Satisfying Please indicate which best describes your SEXUAL RELATIONSHIP 1. Negative 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. 7. Positive Please indicate which best describes your SEXUAL RELATIONSHIP 1. Worthless 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. 7. Valuable **Relationship satisfaction was assessed with three items from Rusbult's (1988) Investment Model Scale.** For the next section, we are going to ask some additional questions about your relationship with your partner. Thinking about your partner, please answer the following questions on a scale ranging from 1 (do not agree at all) to 9 (agree completely). I feel satisfied with our relationship. My relationship with my partner is much better than others’ relationships. Our relationship makes me very happy. [1]: https://osf.io/8cqvm/ [2]: https://osf.io/tbhqu/