NCJ Number
223120
Journal
Journal of Interpersonal Violence Volume: 19 Issue: 4 Dated: April 2004 Pages: 427-442
Date Published
April 2004
Length
16 pages
Annotation
This study examined the motivations that underlie and mediate the link between rape myth acceptance and rape proclivity.
Abstract
This study determined that individuals who were high in rape myth acceptance (RMA) had also been found to report a high proclivity to rape. In a series of three studies, the authors examined whether the relationship between RMA and self-reported rape proclivity was mediated by anticipated sexual arousal or anticipated enjoyment of sexually dominating the rape victim. Results of all three studies suggest that the anticipated enjoyment of sexual dominance mediates the relationship between RMA and rape proclivity, whereas anticipated sexual arousal does not. These findings are stated to be consistent with the feminist argument that rape and sexual violence may be motivated by men’s desire to exert power over women; that RMA is a cross-culturally reliable and valid construct; the probability that males who report a high tendency to commit a sexual assault are more likely to rape a woman once they get an opportunity to do so; and suggest that the incidence and prevalence of rape and sexual violence could be decreased by educational interventions that minimize men’s tendency to associate sex with power. Data were collected from 2 studies; 1 consisting of 113 male students from the University of Mannheim, Germany and 1 with 114 male volunteers attending the University of Kent at Canterbury, England. Tables, figures, references