Understanding attribution of blame in cases of rape: An analysis of participant gender, type of rape and perceived similarity to the victim

Amy Grubb · Julie Harrower

167 citations0/0 files storedJournal of Sexual Aggression

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Sexual Assault and Victimization Studies Social and Intergroup Psychology Jury Decision Making Processes

Abstract

This study examined a variety of factors that may influence attributions towards rape victims. A total of 156 participants completed a questionnaire, which included a measure of attitudes towards rape victims and a vignette depicting one of three rape scenarios (a stranger rape, date rape and seduction rape). Participants rated the extent to which they blamed the rape victim as well as the degree to which they identified with the victim and perpetrator. Results indicated that male participants blamed the victim to a greater extent than did female participants, with participants consistently attributing most blame to the victim in the seduction rape scenario, then the date rape scenario, and finally the stranger rape scenario. Perceptions of similarity to the rape victim and perpetrator were correlated negatively with attributions of blame. These findings have important implications for juror selection, jury decision-making and attempts to improve the conviction rate in rape cases.

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References

1967Attribution theory in social psychology 2000Full Report of the Prevalence, Incidence, and Consequences of Violence Against Women 1978Just world research and the attribution process: Looking back and ahead.2000The Sexual Victimization of College Women 1972The actor and the observer : Divergent perceptions of the causes of behavior 1979Characterological versus behavioral self-blame: Inquiries into depression and rape.2010Journal of Applied Social Psychology 1977Attributions of blame and coping in the "real world": Severe accident victims react to their lot.

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2014What Counts as Rape? The Effect of Offense Prototypes, Victim Stereotypes, and Participant Gender on How the Complainant and Defendant are Perceived 2017Rape myth acceptance, victim blame attribution and Just World Beliefs: A rapid evidence assessment 2013Prevalence Rates of Male and Female Sexual Violence Perpetrators in a National Sample of Adolescents 2017Understanding Gender Differences in Rape Victim Blaming: The Power of Social Influence and Just World Beliefs 2012

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