Blame Attributions of Victims and Perpetrators: Effects of Victim Gender, Perpetrator Gender, and Relationship

Abstract

Although research has been conducted on rape myth acceptance (RMA) and other factors associated with attribution formation, researchers have not yet determined how the combination of such factors simultaneously affects levels of victim blame and perpetrator blame. The current investigation recruited 221 students from an all-women's college to examine differences in blame attributions across RMA, victim gender, and perpetrator gender, and the relationship between the two parties (i.e., stranger vs. acquaintance). Results suggested that RMA, victim gender, and perpetrator gender account for a significant amount of variance in blame attributions for both victims and perpetrators. In sum, victim blame with female perpetrators was relatively consistent across levels of RMA, but increased substantially for male perpetrators as individuals endorsed higher levels of RMA. Perpetrator blame, however, was highest with male perpetrators when individuals endorsed low levels of RMA and lowest for male perpetrators when individuals endorsed relatively higher levels of RMA. Findings demonstrate the continued influence of RMA on blame attributions for both victims and perpetrators, and the stigma faced by male victims. More research is needed on the differing attributions of male and female victims and perpetrators, as well as differing attributions based on type of relationship. Such research will lead to a better and more thorough understanding of sexual assault and rape.

Blaming the Victim of Acquaintance Rape: Individual, Situational, and Sociocultural Factors

“…In fact, the sexual assault literature appears to offer only one clear conclusion: Victims of stranger rape are the least likely to be blamed for their assault; victims of marital rape are much more likely to be found culpable (Ewoldt et al, 2000; Monson et al, 2000). Direct comparisons between stranger rape and acquaintance rape typically find less blame in the former case (Amir, 1971; Calhoun et al, 1976; Donnerstein and Berkowitz, 1981; L’Armand and Pepitone, 1982; Janoff-Bulman et al, 1985; Tetreault and Barnett, 1987; Muehlenhard and Hollabaugh, 1988; Bridges and McGrail, 1989; Quackenbush, 1989; Pollard, 1992; Hammock and Richardson, 1997; Sinclair and Bourne, 1998; Krahé et al, 2007; Grubb and Harrower, 2008; Bieneck and Krahé, 2011; Droogendyk and Wright, 2014; McKimmie et al, 2014; Ayala et al, 2015; Stuart et al, 2016, but see Persson et al, 2018). Further, acquaintance rape victims are blamed less than marital rape victims (Ferro et al, 2008).…”

Characterizing Sexual Violence in Intimate Relationships: An Examination of Blame Attributions and Rape Acknowledgment

“…For example, though early examinations of marital rape victims suggested a high degree of self-blame in this population (e.g., Bergen, 1996; Finkelhor & Yllo, 1982; Frieze, 1983), these studies did not compare levels of self-blame among marital rape victims with those of other rape victims. Furthermore, a number of studies have assessed observers’ (rather than victims’) blame attributions in response to hypothetical sexual assault scenarios presented in the form of vignettes (e.g., Ayala, Kotary, & Hetz, 2015; Grubb & Harrower, 2009; Langhinrichsen-Rohling & Monson, 1998; Monson, Langhinrichsen-Rohling, & Binderup, 2000). However, given recent findings that victims and third-party individuals differ significantly in their perceptions of sexual assault (Perilloux, Duntley, & Buss, 2014), it is difficult to draw definitive conclusions from such studies.…”

Pedir Desculpas: Categorias e Efeitos em Três Tipos de Relacionamento Interpessoal

“…Embora não se encontre facilmente qualquer motivo em especial para a associação estatística verificada, desengajamento moral parece ser, entre os quatro, o tipo de desculpa menos legitimado e o que mais inverte a lógica do prejuízo da vítima em relação a quem cometeu a falha. Trata-se de estratégia amplamente verificada, por exemplo, na análise de tentativas de justificativa para crimes sexuais (Ayala, Kotary, & Hetz, 2018). Essa conclusão pode ser consequência do tipo de falha social operacionalizado na pesquisa (esquecimento na data de aniversário).…”