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Examining Associations Between Participant Gender, Desired Partner Gender, and Views Toward Sexually Coercive
1Division of Education, Human Development, and Social Sciences, Pennsylvania State University, 3000 Ivyside Park, Altoona, PA 16601 USA.
Evolutionary Psychological Science
|September 19, 2022
Summary
Men attracted to women hold more favorable views toward sexual coercion, a behavior involving pursuit of sexual activity without full consent. Heterosexual identification and male gender predict higher acceptability of these coercive acts.
Area of Science:
- Psychology
- Sociology
- Gender Studies
Background:
- Sexual coercion, defined as pursuing sexual activity without full consent, is a significant issue with psychological and financial repercussions.
- Previous research primarily examined male perpetration of sexual coercion against women.
- Understanding factors influencing views on sexual coercion is crucial as these views correlate with coercive sexual behavior.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the roles of participant gender, desired partner gender, and sexual orientation in shaping attitudes toward sexual coercion.
- To extend previous research by examining these factors across diverse gender identities and sexual orientations.
Main Methods:
- Surveyed 1021 cisgender men and women (mean age = 26.46 years) identifying as heterosexual, gay/lesbian, or bisexual.
- Participants rated the acceptability of sexually coercive behaviors performed by same-gender individuals.
- Statistical analyses examined the independent and interactive effects of gender, sexual orientation, and attraction patterns.
Main Results:
- Men rated sexually coercive acts as more acceptable when performed by same-gender individuals compared to women.
- This gender difference persisted across variations in desired partner gender and sexual orientation.
- Attraction to women predicted higher acceptability ratings among men, but not women.
- Identifying as heterosexual, regardless of gender, was associated with more favorable views toward sexual coercion compared to identifying as gay/lesbian or bisexual.
Conclusions:
- Men attracted to women may be most likely to find coercive behaviors acceptable and potentially employ them.
- Heterosexual identification is linked to more permissive attitudes toward sexual coercion across genders.
- Findings highlight the complex interplay of gender, sexual orientation, and attraction in shaping views on sexual coercion.
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