Effects of gender role identity and specific dating behaviors on perceptions of date rape

Tracy Dee Bostwick, Purdue University

Abstract

This study evaluated how males and females perceived specific dating behaviors and their attitudes toward the behaviors related to date rape. Responses were analyzed according to the subject's biological sex and gender role identity, as measured by the Bem Sex Role Inventory (BSRI). Information was obtained and analyzed from 458 midwestern university students, 257 women and 201 men. All participants received an interpersonal relationships questionnaire which solicited general demographic information, perceptions based on information presented in four brief scenarios, and perceptions of general dating behaviors. Each of the four scenarios described dates in which "Who asked?" and "Who paid?" were varied with subjects indicating how much they thought the woman in the scenario wanted sex (female sex willingness), how much they thought the man in the scenario wanted sex (male sex willingness), and how justified the man in the scenario would be to have sex with the woman without her consent. Results showed that female sex willingness was highest when the woman asked or paid for the date, and the male sex willingness was highest when the man asked and paid for the date. Asking or paying for a date appeared to be indicative of interest in sexual intercourse. Male's ratings of both the woman's and the man's sex willingness were consistently higher than the female's ratings, which suggest that a man may overestimate a woman' s interest in sexual intercourse and may later feel "led on", which some persons regard as justifying rape. The subject's gender role identity did not significantly affect the subject's perceptions, and less than 10 percent of the subjects ever justified date rape. The respondents reported that the man and woman were considered to be willing to engage in sexual intercourse primarily because they went to the man's apartment. The subjects identified what women and men do to indicate their interest in sexual intercourse (i.e., act sexually aggressive, talk seductively, verbally ask for sex), what a woman might do to justify a man forcing her to have sexual intercourse (i.e., talk seductively, wear seductive clothing, go to the man's apartment), and what a man might say to justify his having forced a woman to have sexual intercourse (i.e., she did not protest, she "wanted" it, he paid for the date). Theoretical and practical implications of these results are discussed.

Degree

Ph.D.

Advisors

DeLucia, Purdue University.

Subject Area

Academic guidance counseling|Social psychology|Educational psychology|Criminology

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