NCJ Number
195511
Journal
Journal of Child Sexual Abuse Volume: 10 Issue: 2 Dated: 2001 Pages: 61-82
Date Published
2001
Length
22 pages
Annotation
Using the Grounded Theory methodology, this study examined gender differences in undergraduates’ beliefs about the etiology of child sex offending.
Abstract
This study attempted to examine lay theories, gender, and causal attributions of undergraduates for sexual offenses against children with several hypotheses presented. Using a 4-Attributional Dimensions Scale, 82 male and 82 female introductory psychology students from the University of Melbourne participated in the study. The analysis was a two-step process. Step one entailed utilizing a grounded theory methodology to analyze the reasons for sexual offending. Step two involved using chi-squares to analyze differences in frequencies of reasons given for both males and females and an analysis of variance tests were used to compare male and female causal attributions for sexual offending. The study underscored the importance of cultural and contextual factors in individuals’ attributions for offending and the role they may play in shifting responsibility away from the offender. The different experiences of male and female students during their lives are crucially dependent on the way sex roles are structured in society and the attendant values and attitudes associated with these roles. References