The effects of alcohol and cue salience on young men's acceptance of sexual aggression

Abstract

Research suggests that alcohol intoxication may increase a young man’s likelihood of sexual aggression. This laboratory analogue experiment tested a disinhibition versus alcohol myopia explanation of alcohol’s role by investigating effects of acute alcohol administration, expectations and individual differences drawn from Malamuth’s Confluence Model of Sexual Aggression (i.e., Acceptance of Interpersonal Violence: AIV, Need for Sexual Dominance: NSD) on young men’s acceptance of sexual aggression. Young adult heterosexual men (n=334) attended two laboratory sessions each. In the first, they completed screening and individual differences measures. In the second, they were assigned randomly to consume one of four beverages: Control, Placebo, Low Dose Alcohol (0.33 ml alcohol/kg body weight) or Moderate Dose Alcohol (0.75 ml/kg) and view one of two video-delivered scenario conditions: “Anti-Force Cues” (scenario of a couple on a date with embedded explicit cues mitigating against forced sex) or “No Cues” (Identical scenario with no Anti-Force cues). Participants then judged 1) should the man continue to force the woman to have sex? 2) would they force the woman? and 3) who was responsible for the outcome? Results supported a disinhibition versus alcohol myopia model. Consuming alcohol increased acceptance of sexual aggression. Further, higher NSD and AIV scores were associated with acceptance of forced sex, but only after alcohol consumption. Overall, findings showed that key individual difference factors from Malamuth’s Confluence Model enhance precision of predicting sexual aggression risk by young men under the influence of alcohol.

Relationship Type and Sexual Precedence

“…Although sexual assault researchers acknowledge the range of types of relationships within which sexual assault occurs, the typical scenario used in experimental research is designed to examine the casual relationship prototype (Abbey et al, 2009; Gross, Bennett, Sloan, Marx, & Juergens, 2001; Noel, Maisto, Johnson, & Jackson, 2009; for an exception see Monson et al, 2000). There needs to be a greater focus in research and prevention programs on sexual aggression within romantic relationships.…”

Review of Survey and Experimental Research That Examines the Relationship Between Alcohol Consumption and Men’s Sexual Aggression Perpetration

“…The antiplacebo cell only works at low BAC levels of .05 or less (Rohsenow & Marlatt, 1981), thus it is not always included. A few researchers have contrasted low and high doses of alcohol (Davis et al, 2012; Noel et al, 2009). Other researchers have measured self-reported alcohol expectancies to evaluate the hypothesis that alcohol should only increase sexual aggression among participants who expect alcohol to make them more aggressive and sexually disinhibited (Davis, 2010; Norris, Davis, George, Martell, & Heiman, 2002).…”

“…Other researchers have measured self-reported alcohol expectancies to evaluate the hypothesis that alcohol should only increase sexual aggression among participants who expect alcohol to make them more aggressive and sexually disinhibited (Davis, 2010; Norris, Davis, George, Martell, & Heiman, 2002). Additional examples of manipulated independent variables include whether the man and woman are drinking in the story, the woman's response to the force (distress vs. pleasure), and situational cues embedded in the story (Noel et al, 2009; Norris et al, 1999). Several researchers have included self-report measures of risk factors such as hypermasculinity and hostility toward women (Abbey et al, 2009; Norris & Kerr, 1993).…”

Correlates of partner and non-partner aggression among patients with substance use disorders in an urban ED

“…For example, binge drinking and acute alcohol intoxication (Chermack & Giancola, 1997;Hoaken & Pihl, 2000;Benveniste et al, 2005;Noel et al, 2009;Palijan et al, 2009) appear to play a more important role in aggressive behaviours than use of some drugs (e.g. marijuana).…”