Sexual Harassment in Online Communications: Effects of Gender and Discourse Medium

Abstract

Differences in the perception of sexual harassment depending on discourse medium (traditional classroom setting versus online) and gender were examined via survey with 270 undergraduate participants. It was hypothesized that (1) participants would differ in their evaluations of similar behaviors when they were described as occurring in a traditional classroom setting as opposed to an online environment, and (2) males and females would differ in their evaluations of online behaviors. Eight potentially harassing acts were examined--including sexually explicit pictures, content, jokes, misogyny, the use of nicknames, requests for company, sexual favors, and comments about dress. Misogynist comments were seen as more harassing online than in traditional settings, as well as using nicknames and comments about dress. In a traditional setting, only requests for company were seen as more harassing. In terms of gender differences, women rated online pictures and jokes as significantly more harassing than men.

Sexual Harassment on the Internet

“…(p. 92) It is important to note, however, that perceptions of SH behaviors might be reinforced or, in contrast, lessened online. This was found by Biber, Doverspike, Baznik, Cober, and Ritter (2002), who compared in-person and online communication discourse media. They revealed that misogynist comments, nicknames, and comments about dress (all considered gender harassment) were rated more harassing when they appeared online than offline.…”

The Use of Cyberpornography by Young Men in Hong Kong: Some Psychosocial Correlates

“…That might be due to the differences in domains of sexual harassment that each of the two factors measured. The scale of perception of sexual harassment was designed to encompass the three most important dimensions of sexual harassment: gender harassment, unwanted sexual attention, and sexual coercion (Biber et al, 2002). However, the scenarios presented in the scale tend to depict more subtle forms of sexual harassment, such as nickname calling and sexual joke telling, which usually underlie the difficulty of reaching consensus over the definition of sexual harassment.…”

“…The perception of sexual harassment was measured with items developed by Biber, Doverspike, Baznik, Cober, and Ritter (2002). The scale consisted of nine items describing scenarios involving the interaction between a male professor and a female student.…”

Pornography and attitudes supporting violence against women: revisiting the relationship in nonexperimental studies

“…The perception of sexual harassment scale (PSH-9 items): The PSH examines perceptions of sexual harassment [Biber et al, 2002]. The reliability of the PSH is .72 as reported by Lam and Chan [2007] and measured by Cronbach's a.…”