The heart of this dissertation is the SCAPULA Information Retrieval System, used to create, maintain, and retrieve coded archaeological data for the Upper Wabash Drainage at the Archaeology Laboratory of Ball State University.Several existing archaeological data banks were surveyed and classified at first, and different file organizations, computer software and hardware were reviewed next using as a major criterion the needs of archaeologists at Ball State in order to determine the characteristics of the SCAPULA System.The encoding instructions and retrieval keywords are illustrated and listed, while the functions of the SCAPULA are introduced. With its straightforward query instructions and examples, the SCAPULA Information Retrieval System, a relational data bank, is very easy to use.The present study sought to examine the impact of victim-observer similarity, victim physical attractiveness, outcome severity and sex of respondent on responsibility attributions made toward a rape victim. Perceived attitudinal similarity, victim physical attractiveness, and outcome severity were experimentally varied. In addition this study sought to further examine sex differences, which prior research has indicated may influence how a rape victim is perceived.A modified version of Alexander's (1980) scale was used to measure the degree of responsibility attributed to the victim, to the assailant, to society and to chance in each condition. A research design was developed using two levels of each of the four factors.The experiment was conducted during regular class periods. The population consisted of 198 male and female undergraduate students. Prior to the actual experiment, Ss were randomly assigned to review an attitude questionnaire (supposedly completed by the victim), which was either similar or dissimilar to one completed previously by themselves. The attitude survey used in this study was the Important Issues Questionnaire (Novak & Lerner, 1968). The study was conducted such that Ss perceived the victim to be either like or unlike themselves in basic attitudes. Ss were then asked to view a videotape in which a sexual assault victim was interviewed. The victim was actually an actress who read a prepared script. Outcome severity was varied by the use of written vignettes and by the victim's (actress's) narration of either having suffered an attempted rape or a rape with physical injuries. Physical attractiveness was varied by the use of cosmetics and dress. Ss were tested in groups. Each group saw only one of the four videotapes. Ss were debriefed following the experiment.The study was designed to answer the following research questions:1. Would Ss make significantly different responsibility attributions toward a victim they perceived as similar to themselves than toward a victim they perceived as dissimilar to themselves?2. Would Ss make significantly different responsibility attributions toward a victim who suffered a non-severe outcome than toward a victim who suffered a severe outcome?3. Would male Ss make significantly different attributions of responsibility toward a physically attractive victim than toward a physically unattractive victim?4. Would the respondent's sex significantly affect the degree of responsibility attributed to the victim?A 2x2x2x2 multivariate analysis of variance was used to test the four research hypothesis. Significance was considered at an alpha level of .05.FindingsThe results of this study indicated that no significant difference existed for similarity, outcome severity, sex of respondent or physical attractiveness. There was however, a tendency for Ss to attribute more responsibility to the victim who had suffered a severe outcome, and also for the assailant in that condition to be assigned a harsher penalty.ConclusionPrior research in the area of rape victim culpability has offered conflicting results. The present study sought to provide clarity to the findings of previous research. Further research is needed in this area to gain a clearer understanding of factors which influence how victims of sexual assault are perceived.