Theories of rape and the just world

Abstract

The aim of the present study was firstly to investigate attributions of fault (cause, blame and responsibility) to a rape victim, and in the second study to examine causal explanations for rape as a function of belief in a Just World. It was predicted from the first vignette study that males would attribute more fault to the rape victim than females, and that the victim's race, dress and resistance would affect the attribution of fault. Sex of respondent and victim dress were found to be strong determinants of attribution about rape. In the second part of the study Just World Beliefs were related to 20 theories about the causes of rape. Partial support was found for the prediction that belief in a Just World would affect explanations for rape. Results are discussed in terms of attributional studies on the perceived causes of injustice.

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