Attributions of Rape Blame: Victim/Perpetrator and Victim/Suspect Relationship

• NCJ Number: 114183
• Author(s): J M Raquepaw
• Date Published: 1988
• Length: 15 pages
• Publication Format: Document
• Publication Type: Report (Study/Research)
• Language: English
• Country: United States of America
• Note: Paper presented at the 1988 annual meeting of the Southwestern Psychological Association, Tulsa, Oklahoma.

Annotation

This study indicates that persons may perceive 'acquaintance' rape or 'date' rape differently, depending on their perspective and involvement in the situation.

Abstract

A total of 104 male and 104 female students participated in this study in partial fulfillment of course requirements. Subjects participated in large group sessions and were randomly assigned to various rape scenarios. The scenarios introduced the man and the woman as 'Jack and Diane' or as 'Jack and your sister.' The scenarios described three levels of acquaintanceship between the man and the woman: acquainted but dating, dating for 2 months, and dating for 2 years. The scenarios also differed regarding the sexual encounter. Under one scenario, the man raped the woman: and under another condition, the couple engaged in consensual sexual relations. Degree of acquaintanceship between the man and woman and the sex of the subject did not significantly influence blame attributions, but the 'sister' label did. Subjects assigned less blame to the victim when portrayed anonymously. 3 tables, 17 references.