Compares male and female rape reporting behavior using data from the National Crime and Victimization Survey for 897 rape victims. Data indicate that the situational characteristics of rape and factors that influence reporting a rape differ by sex. Women reported victimization more frequently than did men. (SLD)

Investigated the effects of aggressor's and victim's sex on judgments regarding sexual aggression on dates. College students read vignettes describing dating aggression, rating degree of disapproval of aggressors' behaviors from their own, the aggressor's, and the victim's viewpoint. The effect of participant viewpoint in rating aggressor behavior…

In two experiments, subjects made attributions after reading a description of a rape. Responsibility was more strongly attributed to the victim's character for unrespectable victims, and to chance for respectable victims. Males blamed the victim's character more than females; females emphasized the role of chance more than males. (Author/GC)

Uses the Sexual Experiences Survey to investigate the incidence and nature of sexual coercion among 140 sorority women in the context of their involvement in fraternal life. Provides evidence that the fraternity environment tolerates and even encourages sexual coercion of women. (CJS)

Investigated the relationship of sex, gender role attitudes, and sexual orientation to perceptions of rape. College students responded to scenarios depicting the rape of heterosexual and homosexual males and females. Men assigned more blame to victims (particularly male victims) than did women. Traditional gender role attitudes positively related…

Attitudes toward rape were examined by assessing the reactions of 95 male and female college students to scenarios about couples in varying degrees of acquaintanceship. Males had more rape-supportive beliefs. It appears that college students view date rape as an extension of traditional male-female sexual interaction. (DM)

Explored potential differences between Asian and non-Asian Canadian university students regarding their attitudes toward coercive and noncoercive sexual behavior. Student surveys indicated that Asian students' attitudes were significantly more conservative. Asian students were more tolerant of rape myths and sexual harassment. They demonstrated…

Studies sexual assault and stranger aggression experienced by 259 Canadian female undergraduates at an Ontario university. Results indicate that the rate of sexual assault is at least as high as in the United States and that stranger aggression has been experienced by the overwhelming majority (84.1%). (SLD)

Tested Freud's theory that sexist humor may be associated with hostility toward women. The humor of 10 sexist jokes was rated by 399 college students. Enjoyment of sexist humor was positively correlated with rape-related attitudes and beliefs, the self-reported likelihood of forcing sex, and psychological, physical, and sexual aggression in men.…

Examined the influence of victim dress, perceiver gender, situational relevance, and personal relevance on attributions of responsibility for date rape by 632 college students. Attributions of responsibility were significantly influenced by perceiver gender and victim dress. Discusses implications for attribution theory and practical implications,…

Examines reactions of 531 undergraduate men and women to scenarios depicting nonconsensual heterosexual intercourse involving varying levels of prior intimacy. Responses show women were most likely to find the scenarios unacceptable; gender differences increased with higher levels of prior intimacy between victim and offender. Knowing a rape…

Investigated relationships between conflict tactics and coercive sexual behavior within relationships. College student surveys indicated that greater magnitudes of sexual coercion associated with higher levels of abusive conflict tactics and with psychological abuse within relationships. People engaging in psychological abuse were more likely to…

Proclivities toward rape and sexual force were studied among 159 college men at a small church-affiliated college. In completing a questionnaire, 34% reported some proclivity to rape or force sex, and those who reported such proclivities held more gender stereotyped attitudes. (SLD)

Examined personal beliefs and perceptions of cultural stereotypes surrounding rape victims. Primarily white college students listed their beliefs and perceptions and rated a specific rape victim accordingly. Students' personal beliefs tended to focus more on perceptions of victim reactions to the rape rather than rape myths. However, their…

Examines the effects of the victim-perpetrator relationship (first date acquaintance, stranger, or steady dating partner) on college students' attributions of responsibility for forced intercourse and unwanted propositions. Investigates both behavioral and characterological components of victim and rapist responsibility. Discusses sex differences…