NCJ Number
223598
Journal
Sociological Spectrum Volume: 28 Issue: 4 Dated: July - August 2008 Pages: 389-411
Date Published
July 2008
Length
23 pages
Annotation
This study assessed the relationship between police officers' attitudes toward women and their attitudes toward rape.
Abstract
The study found a significant difference on measures of modern sexism and the acceptance of rape myths with varying levels of educational attainment. Previous research was said to have demonstrated a positive relationship between public attitudes toward women and rape myth acceptance, but indicated that little was known about whether this relationship also existed within the police culture. The work took the view that police were of a hegemonic masculine subculture, with rigid attitudes about the role of men and women in society. This study assessed the relationship between police officers' attitudes toward women and their attitudes toward rape, and also reviewed the effect of educational attainment on these attitudes. Although the results were said to not be representative of police nationwide, the study sought to shed light on the attitudes of police in the areas surveyed. The study indicated that the results were consistent with most prior research on police officers and attitudes towards rape. Data were obtained from a survey administered to 891 police officers from 2 States in the southeastern United States, and the respondents were from 11 police departments and sheriff’s offices. Those who responded to the survey represented one third of the population of interest. The survey was a combination of demographic questions and four attitudinal scales. Tables, references