ATTRIBUTION OF FAULT TO RAPE VICTIMS

• NCJ Number: 49107
• Author(s): S FEINMAN
• Date Published: 1976
• Length: 61 pages
• Sale Source: Eric Document Reproduction Service; National Institute of Justice/
• Publication Type: Report (Study/Research)
• Language: English
• Country: United States of America
• Note: PRESENTED AT THE SOCIOLOGY OF LAW SESSION OF THE MIDWEST SOCIOLOGICAL SOCIETY MEETINGS, APRIL 21-24, 1976, ST LOUIS, MISSOURI

Annotation

THE IMPACT OF MARITAL STATUS, PHYSICAL ATTRACTIVENESS, AMOUNT OF VICTIM RESISTANCE, VICTIM REACTION, AND SEX OF OBSERVER ON ATTRIBUTIONS OF FAULT TO HYPOTHETICAL RAPE VICTIMS IS INVESTIGATED.

Abstract

ATTRIBUTIONS OF FAULT TO RAPE VICTIMS HAVE IMPLICATIONS FOR LEGAL PROCEDURES AND PROCESSES AND AFFECT THE FORMATION OF ATTITUDES THAT RAPE VICTIMS TAKE TOWARD THEMSELVES. PSYCHOLOGICAL TENDENCIES THAT INFLUENCE THESE ATTRIBUTIONS OF FAULT DECREASE THE ACCURACY OF JUDGMENTS MADE CONCERNING RAPE VICTIMS. PARTICIPANTS IN A STUDY TO MEASURE THE IMPACT OF VARIOUS FACTORS ON THE ATTRIBUTION OF FAULT TO RAPE VICTIMS INCLUDED 440 UNDERGRADUATE STUDENTS AT THE UNIVERSITY OF WYOMING. EACH PARTICIPANT WAS PROVIDED WITH A DESCRIPTION OF A RAPE SCENE THAT VARIED THE IMPACT DIMENSIONS TO BE STUDIED AND WAS REQUESTED TO ANSWER QUESTIONS REGARDING THE DEGREE OF FAULT TO BE ATTRIBUTED TO THE VICTIM. ALL FACTORS STUDIED WERE FOUND TO AFFECT THE ATTRIBUTION OF FAULT SIGNIFICANTLY EXCEPT THE PHYSICAL ATTRACTIVENESS OF THE VICTIM. FINDINGS POINTED TO A DISCREPANCY BETWEEN LEGAL AND MORAL CONCEPTS OF JUSTICE AND DISTORTIONS THAT OCCUR IN ATTRIBUTION PROCESSES. THE DISCREPANCY BETWEEN LEGAL REQUIREMENTS FOR CONVICTION BASED ON VICTIM RESISTANCE AND ADVICE THAT IS GIVEN TO WOMEN ON HOW TO DEAL WITH SEXUAL ASSAULT IS ALSO DISCUSSED. INACCURACIES IN ATTRIBUTIONS OF FAULT AND ASPECTS OF RAPE STATUTES CONCERNING VICTIM RESISTANCE ARE CRITICIZED. REFERENCES ARE INCLUDED. (AUTHOR ABSTRACT MODIFIED--DEP)