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Rape Myth Consistency and Gender Differences in Perceiving Rape Victims: A Meta-Analysis.
Jericho M Hockett1, Sara J Smith2, Cathleen D Klausing2
1Kansas State University, Manhattan, USA Washburn University, Topeka, KS, USA jericho.hockett@washburn.edu.
Violence Against Women
|October 9, 2015
Summary
Men generally hold more negative views of rape victims than women do. However, the extent of rape myth consistency in case details significantly influences these gender differences in victim blame and perceptions.
Area of Science:
- Social Psychology
- Feminist Theory
- Criminology
Background:
- Feminist analyses explore oppression and attitudes toward rape victims.
- Previous research identified predictors of attitudes toward rape victims.
- Understanding gender differences in rape victim perception is crucial.
Purpose of the Study:
- To meta-analytically examine how rape myth consistency moderates gender differences in rape victim perception.
- To investigate the influence of victim, perpetrator, and crime characteristics on these perceptions.
- To test feminist theoretical predictions regarding gender and rape victim attitudes.
Main Methods:
- Meta-analysis of studies on attitudes toward rape victims.
- Examination of moderating effects of rape myth consistency.
- Analysis of gender differences in victim responsibility, blame attributions, and rape minimizing attitudes.
Main Results:
- Overall, men perceived rape victims more negatively than women.
- This gender difference was significantly moderated by the rape myth consistency within rape scenarios.
- Higher rape myth consistency amplified negative perceptions by men.
Conclusions:
- Findings align with feminist predictions on gendered perceptions of sexual assault.
- Rape myth consistency is a critical factor influencing gender differences in victim blame.
- Further research should consider these moderating factors in understanding rape attitudes.
Keywords:
meta-analysisrape minimizationrape mythrape victim blamerape victim perceptionsrape victim responsibilityMore Related Videos
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