We summarize what is known about censorship from a behavioral perspective. We define censorship as any act with the intention of restricting the free tlow of ideas, images, or information. While most Americans appear to disapprove of censorship as a general concept, majorities of persons support the censonhip of particular media, especially those depicting violence or sexual violence. The characteristics of those who suppon censonhip depend to some extent on the particular media being censored, however, persons who are older, more religious, less educated, and whose political ideologies favor govemment authority over personal freedoms are generally more likely to suppon censorship. While females typically express more support of censonhip of sexually explicit materials, and the positions of anti- pornography feminists are well known, many feminists oppose such censonhip, and persons with egalitarian*Paper presented at the Florida Coalition Against Censorship Conference, February 18,
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