The role of gender identity threat in perceptions of date rape and sexual coercion

Violence Against Women. 2012 Oct;18(10):1125-46. doi: 10.1177/1077801212465151.

Abstract

We experimentally investigated the effects of gender identity threat on men's and women's perceptions of date rape and sexual coercion. Results showed that men whose masculinity was threatened responded by blaming the victim and exonerating the perpetrator more, while threatened women respond by blaming male perpetrators more and placing less blame on female victims. Men's response to threats was more pronounced than women's, an asymmetry we attribute to the cultural devaluation of femininity. Our findings highlight the significance of masculinity concerns in perceptions of sexual violence and, more generally, the importance of perceiver context in views of violence against women.

Publication types

  • Randomized Controlled Trial

MeSH terms

  • Coercion*
  • Crime Victims
  • Criminals
  • Female
  • Femininity
  • Humans
  • Interpersonal Relations*
  • Male
  • Masculinity*
  • Rape*
  • Sex Factors
  • Sexism
  • Sexual Behavior
  • Social Perception*
  • Violence*
  • Women's Rights*