A Longitudinal Study of Rape Attitude Correlates among College Men

• Main Author: Howe-Martin, Laura S.
• Other Authors: Jenkins, Sharon Rae
• Format: Others
• Language: English
• Published: University of North Texas 2006
• Subjects: Male college students > Attitudes.; Rape.; rape; sexual assault; victim blaming; rape myths; chivalry; rape proclivity
• Online Access: https://digital.library.unt.edu/ark:/67531/metadc5269/

Research has linked rape victim-blaming attitudes (VBAs) with gender role stereotyping, negative peer attitudes towards women, and acceptance of interpersonal violence. The current study analyzed longitudinal questionnaire data of college men (n=166) from White and Smith's (2001) study of college student victimization. Results indicate that VBAs can be conceptualized as either overt or covert, and that the covert VBA was more strongly correlated with alcohol use, sexualized peer attitudes, traditional gender stereotypes, need for sexual dominance, and perpetration of dating aggression. The covert VBA was also correlated with rape proclivity one year later, and partially mediated relationships between earlier variables and later rape proclivity. Additionally, endorsement of chivalry moderated the relationship between traditional gender stereotypes and the covert VBA, casting new perspective on the role of chivalry. Overall, results demonstrate the importance of targeting subtle expressions of VBAs in educational programs, and the need for longitudinal studies on rape attitude development.