Rape and Seduction Scripts

Abstract

Previous research has shown that rape judgments can be influenced by several variables; however, it is not known whether these variables appear in rape scripts. Moreover, although the script concept has been applied to sexual behavior (e.g., Gagnon & Simon, 1973; Laws & Schwartz, 1977), researchers have only just begun to explore the content of sexual scripts. The present study explored college students' rape and seduction scripts. Twenty introductory psychology students were asked to write about the “typical” rape and the “typical” seduction. These scripts were coded on 20 common dimensions. Results showed that the rape and seduction scripts were very different. Most subjects described a blitz rape: a woman who was outdoors was attacked by a male stranger who was mentally or socially unfit. The assailant was very angry and aggressive and the victim, very afraid. In contrast, the seduction was more frequently indoors and often involved alcohol. The participants were sometimes strangers and both sexes could initiate the event. Nevertheless, subjects disagreed as to the outcome. Finally, two interesting sex differences emerged in the current study. Implications of the current results for rape education were drawn.

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