Recent trials have brought the issue of date rape into public awareness. It is appropriate to examine the impact of variables such as the appearance of the accuser, the relationship between the accuser and the defendant, and the behavior of the accuser and defendant on attributions of responsibility in a rape situation. This study manipulated…

Several investigations have demonstrated that individuals tend to blame the victims of personal misfortune. However, few studies have been conducted to determine the dimensionality of the victim blame construct. Previous research has distinguished between two kinds of self-blame: behavioral and characterological. Individuals may blame themselves…

According to a recent study a rape occurs every 7 minutes and 60% of those rapes happen on dates. This study examined the impact of assault outcomes (rape, avoidance) and victim's power strategy (direct/bilateral, indirect/unilateral) on male and female evaluations of a date rape situation. College students (N=121) listened to a taped dialogue and…

This publication concerning rape committed by acquaintances and "friends" is designed to provide information and support for college students. The early warning signs and how to react to potential "acquaintance" or "date" rape are addressed. Consideration is given to why this type of rape occurs and information is provided on how to avoid date…

Examined justifiability of date rape under various circumstances among male undergraduates. Rape was rated as significantly more justifiable if the couple went to the man's apartment rather than to a religious function, if the woman asked the man out, and if the man paid all the dating expenses. Differences between traditional and nontraditional…

Examined the effects of victim and defendent attractiveness on the judgments of 96 students responding to an account of a rape. Results showed subjects tended to be biased against the attractive victim but biased in favor of the attractive defendent. (JAC)

Developed a survey capable of reflecting hidden cases of rape and of documenting a dimensional view of sexual aggression/sexual victimization. The survey was administered to 3,862 university students. Results supported a dimensional view. Discusses the viability of a survey approach to sample selection for future rape research. (Author)

Studied the fears, beliefs, and behaviors of 139 college women about acquaintance and stranger rape. Women were more afraid of stranger rape and took more precautions against it but paradoxically believed that acquaintance rape was more common. Precautionary behaviors were best predicted by level of fear. Theoretical and educational implications…

Undergraduate students (N=344) completed measures of violence in dating relationships. While 85 percent of respondents reported opposition to violence in romantic relationships, 25 percent of the women and 7 percent of the men reported experiences of violence in dating relationships. Twenty-two percent of women reported being involved in…

Randomly assigned 60 male undergraduates to view film clip of professional lady wrestlers or of mud wrestling, or to no-film control. Both films produced negative changes in mood states, principally increase in aggression and decrease in social affection. Viewing films did not produce changes in men's acceptance of interpersonal violence against…

Explored university students' (n=702) level of sexual activity during six-month period and degree to which they were victims of sexual coercion and assault before and since entering university. Found more than 80 percent of students were sexually active; nearly one in five women had been victims of rape or attempted rape. (Author/ABL)

Briefly describes three prevailing theories of rape: evolutionary theory, social learning theory, and feminist theory. Applies feminist theory of rape to practice rationale for prevention programming targeted specifically at traditional-aged college males. Support for the theory, based on results of previous studies, is presented, and implications…

College students (n=387) completed the "attitudes toward rape" questionnaire and the rape empathy scale. Analysis found that prior experience as a rape survivor and gender were significantly related to rape intolerant attitudes and empathy toward rape survivors. Rape tolerant attitudes and lower levels of empathy were more commonly found…

This study assessed the effectiveness of an interactive, co-educational date rape prevention program. Participants for the study (n=192, 97% Caucasian) consisted of sorority and fraternity members of a larger midwestern university. Eighty-four individuals were assigned to a control group with the rest making up the intervention group. All subjects…

The incidence of date or acquaintance rape is well documented on the college campus, and the importance of campus programs on issues such as date rape, communication, alcohol and drug education, assertiveness, and sex role stereotyping for men and women is indisputable. One program, presented on a small campus during November 1988, presented…