Power, Sex, and Rape Myth Acceptance: Testing Two Models of Rape Proclivity

Abstract

Power and sex are thought to be important factors associated with sexual aggression. The goal of this study was to offer a dual-process model to determine how both an implicit power-sex association and explicit power-sex beliefs contribute to rape myth acceptance and rape proclivity. In Study 1, an explicit measure of power-sex beliefs was developed using a participant sample of 131 college students (54% female; age: M = 20.2 years, SD = 3.5 years). In Study 2, 108 male college students (age: M = 19.1 years, SD = 1.3 years) completed a power-sex implicit association test and three explicit measures assessing power-sex beliefs, rape myth acceptance, and rape proclivity. Two models of rape proclivity were compared. The best-fitting model showed that rape myth acceptance mediated the relationships between rape proclivity and an implicit power-sex association, as well as explicit power-sex beliefs.

Assessing stereotypes of adolescent rape

“…This interpretation suggests that adolescent rape may be a strategy for displaying normative masculinity. A growing body of research has found that believing in popular myths about the role of victims and perpetrators in rape increases tendencies toward rape (Bohner et al, 1998;Chapleau & Oswald, 2010). In light of gender norms that portray "real men" as having uncontrollable sexual desires, some youth who perpetrate sexual assault may not see their actions as problematic.…”

The Effect of Young Adult Literature on Adolescents' Rape Myth Acceptance

“…The relationship between rape myth acceptance and rape proclivity was examined in a two part study using two models of rape proclivity (Chapleau & Oswald, 2010). The first part of the study investigated the phenomenon of power and sex using 131 college students (54.2% women; mean age = 20.2, S = 3.5) from a Midwestern Catholic University.…”

“…No rape myth acceptance feedback condition participants' R scales did not have any answers underlined nor were there any references to previous respondents' choices. Participants' rape proclivity was assessed using five acquaintance-rape scenarios utilized in previously reviewed studies (Bohner, Jarvis et al, 2005;Chapleau & Oswald, 2010;Chiroro et al, 2004).…”

Confronting Myths About Sexual Assault: A Feminist Analysis of the False Report Literature

“…Furthermore, researchers have found that greater endorsement of rape myths is associated with greater proclivities to commit sexual violence, to not believe victims, and to offer less support for victims (Bohner, Siebler, & Schmelcher, 2006;Chapleau & Oswald, 2010;Franiuk, Seefelt, & Vandello, 2008). Bohner et al (2006) also found that perceived social norms interacted with individuals' own acceptance of rape myths.…”