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Gender, Myths, and Assumptions: Correlates of Risk Perception in Sexual Assault Scenarios
Melanie D Hetzel-Riggin1, Shauntey James2, Ryan Roby3
1Penn State Behrend, Erie, PA, USA.
Journal of Interpersonal Violence
|July 31, 2021
Summary
College students
Area of Science:
- Psychology
- Sociology
- Criminology
Background:
- Sexual violence remains a significant issue on college campuses.
- Bystander intervention programs are common but may not fully address risk perception.
- Limited research exists on gender differences in sexual assault risk perception and influencing factors.
Purpose of the Study:
- To compare male and female college students' sexual assault risk perception.
- To investigate the influence of rape myth acceptance and world assumptions on risk perception.
- To examine the roles of victim/perpetrator blame and prior sexual violence history.
Main Methods:
- Participants (male and female college students) read a sexual assault scenario.
- Assessed risk perception, victim/perpetrator blame, rape myth acceptance, and beliefs in a just world.
- Statistical analyses examined relationships between variables.
Main Results:
- Gender differences were found in factors influencing risk perception and victim blame.
- Women's risk perception linked to sexual communication myths and belief in a random world.
- Men's risk perception linked to myths about women provoking assault and a just, cruel world.
Conclusions:
- Rape myths and world assumptions differentially impact men's and women's sexual risk perception.
- Current sexual assault education may need to address these specific cognitive factors.
- Tailored interventions are needed to overcome gender-specific barriers to bystander intervention.
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