The Relationship between Rape Myths and Sexual Scripts: The Social Construction of Rape

Ryan, Kathryn M.

doi:10.1007/s11199-011-0033-2

Cited by 192 publications

(163 citation statements)

References 53 publications

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“…The relation between RMA and labeling may be explained by the substantial overlap in stereotypical beliefs between rape myths and rape scripts (Edwards, Turchik, Dardis, Reynolds, & Gidycz, 2011;Ryan, 2011), given that interpretations and assigned labels of acts of sexual violence are influenced by rape scripts and other stereotypical beliefs, which are common features of rape myths. The exploratory qualitative findings are consistent with these results, as the most common reasons for labeling the vignette as a rape were those that are strongly associated with stereotypical rape (i.e., lack of consent, use of force).…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…This conceptualization has been termed "stereotypical rape," and recent studies have shown that individuals continue to have stereotypical scripts of what constitutes a "real" or "legitimate" rape, including features such as the perpetrator's use of physical force and the victim's use of physical resistance (see Ryan, 2011 for a review). Unfortunately, this view puts an overly restrictive framework around victims' experiences, which do not usually conform to this stereotype (e.g., Koss, Heise, & Russo, 1994;Littleton, Tabernik, Canelas, & Backstrom, 2009).…”

Section: Labeling Sexual Violencementioning

confidence: 99%

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Labeling Acts of Sexual Violence: What Roles do Assault Characteristics, Attitudes, and Life Experiences Play?

Sasson

Paul

2014

Behav. Soc. Iss.

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The label assigned to a given act of sexual violence (e.g., rape, sexual assault) can have a notable impact on perceptions of the incident and the role of the individuals involved. Research has identified personal rape scripts and assault characteristics as factors that influence the labeling of sexual violence. This study advances the field by providing information about the influence of participant-related variables (e.g., life experiences, personal attitudes) on the labeling of a sexual violence vignette. Results from this online study of 379 participants revealed that victim empathy, perpetrator empathy, rape myth acceptance (RMA) and receipt of a rape disclosure were associated with correctly labeling a sexual violence vignette as a rape; RMA remained a significant predictor of labeling after all variables were entered into the regression simultaneously. Assault characteristics, victimization history, acknowledgement of victimization and gender were not associated with the label assigned to the vignette in the regression, although inspection of qualitative reasons given for labeling the vignette revealed that some of these factors may influence label choice. Importantly, participants who labeled the event as a rape were less likely to assign responsibility for the assault to the victim. Implications of correctly identifying and labeling experiences of sexual violence, both for victims and for support providers, are discussed.

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Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Labeling Sexual Violencementioning

confidence: 99%

Labeling Acts of Sexual Violence: What Roles do Assault Characteristics, Attitudes, and Life Experiences Play?

Sasson

Paul

2014

Behav. Soc. Iss.

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“…Another interesting discourse analytical study investigated how sexual scripts occur in conversation, and how these are related to rape myths; the findings of which demonstrated that sexual scripts determine the social construction and support of rape (Ryan, 2011).…”

Section: New Methodologiesmentioning

confidence: 99%

A review of the literature relating to rape victim blaming: An analysis of the impact of observer and victim characteristics on attribution of blame in rape cases

Bruggen

Grubb

2014

Aggression and Violent Behavior

194

135

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“…Although there has been some movement in this direction (Abbey, 2002), and guidance offered by the Center for Disease Control (Basile, Smith, Breiding, Black & Mahendra, 2014), there are still a variety of definitions and instruments used in current literature on sexual assault. This diversity in definitions is further complicated by variations from professional fields such as medical, legal, (Teurkheimer, 2015) and research (Bagwell, Messing, Baldwin-White, 2015), which may exacerbate college student uncertainty of what constitutes sexual assault (Ryan, 2011). The US Department of Justice recently hosted an expert panel on how best to measure sexual assault, which is an important next step in leading researchers to a more integrated and universal method of measurement in the future (Kruttschnitt, Kalsbeek & House, 2013).…”

Section: Areas For Future Researchmentioning

confidence: 99%

Sexual Assault on College Campuses: Substance Use, Victim Status Awareness, and Barriers to Reporting

Schwarz

Gibson

Lewis-Arévalo³

2017

BHAC

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Background: Despite the high incidence of estimated sexual assault on college campuses, underreporting is substantial and perpetuated by a culture of rape myths that are pervasive across college campuses and society in general. Aim: The aim of this study was to: examine college student awareness of their own sexual assault victimization status, barriers to reporting, and the prevalence of substance use in sexual assault. Method: This was a cross-sectional mixed-method survey sent to a universal sample of college students from two neighboring institutions of higher education (N=2,724). Results:Results from this survey demonstrated a lack of understanding of what constitutes sexual assault, primarily attributed to the normalization of assault and rape myths. Regardless of victim status awareness, those who were victimized were significantly more likely to use higher levels of alcohol than non-victims, and were less likely to identify their victimization as sexual assault, highlighting the need for college students to understand that alcohol-involved sexual assault is still sexual assault. Conclusions: Overwhelmingly, participants cited the potential consequences as far greater than any potential benefits to reporting sexual assault. Confusion about what constitutes sexual assault and uncertainty of available resources were also recognized as contributing factors in underreporting.

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The Relationship between Rape Myths and Sexual Scripts: The Social Construction of Rape

Abstract: Rape myths can influence sexual scripts that determine sexual attitudes and behavior. Sexual scripts are culturally determined patterns of behavior that inform desire and influence sexual behavior. Sexual scripts include hook up, seduction, rape, and acquaintance rape scripts (e.g.

Cited by 192 publications

References 53 publications

Labeling Acts of Sexual Violence: What Roles do Assault Characteristics, Attitudes, and Life Experiences Play?

Labeling Acts of Sexual Violence: What Roles do Assault Characteristics, Attitudes, and Life Experiences Play?

A review of the literature relating to rape victim blaming: An analysis of the impact of observer and victim characteristics on attribution of blame in rape cases

Sexual Assault on College Campuses: Substance Use, Victim Status Awareness, and Barriers to Reporting

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