The Role of Rape Myth Acceptance in the Social Norms Regarding Sexual Behavior Among College Students

Abstract

This study examined the antecedents for the acceptance of rape myths. The information motivation behavioral skills model was the basis for this study. In this cross-sectional study at a northeastern university, 237 students consented to participate in an online survey examining knowledge, social norms regarding sexual behavior, future time perspective, and rape myth acceptance (RMA). The majority of the sample was female. Forty-one percent believed that a woman who was raped while drunk was responsible. Men had higher RMA and the less sexual knowledge they had, the more they accepted the rape myths. Direction is provided regarding primary prevention of sexual assault.

Campus Sexual Violence Resources and Emotional Health of College Women Who Have Experienced Sexual Assault

“…In contrast, the only sexual violence resource assessed in this study that would be expected to relate in a comparable way to mental health is the presence of support groups or counseling for affected students. The role of other resources in this scale, such as awareness events, pamphlets or posters, or a staff member, may be to shift attitudes about sexual violence and acceptance of rape myths (Aronowitz, Lambert, & Davidoff, 2012;Ashton, 1982;McMahon, 2010) which have been demonstrated to be modifiable through sexual assault prevention programs (Coker et al, 2011;Vladutiu et al, 2011). Such differences in attitudes toward sexual violence may manifest as greater support for victims at the interpersonal level, through friends or acquaintances on campus.…”

Sexual Assault on College Campuses: Substance Use, Victim Status Awareness, and Barriers to Reporting

“…On college campuses, a widespread social norm regarding rape is that the victim is at least partially responsible if they had consumed alcohol or drugs prior to or during the assault (Cowley, 2014). In fact, recent research has found that over 40% of college students believed that a woman was responsible for being raped if she was intoxicated at the time of the assault (Aronowitz, et al, 2012). This social norm has implications that can perpetuate sexual assault, as it falsely places responsibility on victims and lessens accountability for perpetrators, which can impact the prevalence of sexual assault as well as the likelihood of reporting.…”

“…This perception, regardless of its accuracy, often has a powerful influence on behavior. The connection between social norms and attitudes and behaviors regarding sexual assault has been highlighted in recent research (Bosson, Parrot, Swan, Kuchynka, & Schramm, 2015;Aronowitz, Lambert, & Davidoff, 2012;Potter & Stapleton, 2012). The beliefs inherent in rape culture are dangerous, as these "social norms" are predictive of men's comprehension of sexual consent, as well as the actual perpetration of sexual assaults (both single and repeat offenses) (Warren, et al, 2015;Zinzow & Thompson, 2015).…”

Rape Myth Acceptance: Implications for Counselor Education Programs

“…Rape myths come in many forms and are strongly connected to one's beliefs about sex role stereotyping, distrust of the opposite sex, sexist attitudes, acceptance of interpersonal violence (Burt, 1980;Chapleau, Oswald, & Russell, 2007), perceived social competence (Gamper, 2004), and false beliefs about the act of rape, victims, and perpetrators (Hammond, Berry & Rodriguez, 2011). Belief in rape myths is related to an individual's tolerance of interpersonal violence and violence towards women, a belief in traditional and restrictive gender roles for women, distrust of women, and men's hostile views towards women (Aronowitz, Lambert & Davidoff, 2012;Burt, 1980;Edwards et al, 2011;Lonsway & Fitzgerald, 1995). Acceptance of rape myths by society perpetuates the cycle of sexual violence against women.…”