The current study sought to assess the impact of the race, gender, and ethnicity of rape victims on college students’ propensity to assign culpability to victims. Using a sample of college students (n=279) from a mid-sized Southeastern university, respondents were given a set of six different vignettes, varying only by victim characteristics. These vignettes featured alcohol-facilitated sexual assault between acquaintances, a common occurrence in college environments. Respondents were asked to evaluate the culpability of the victim through a blameworthiness scale. Through the incorporation of the Illinois Rape Myth Acceptance Scale, this study also measured the respondents’ propensity to assign blame to female rape victims and to alleviate male perpetrators of any responsibility. Results indicated that adherence to rape myth acceptance was a more significant predictor of blameworthiness than victim or respondent characteristics. This exploratory study was designed to add to the growing body of literature examining attitudes toward acquaintance rape.

Thesis (Ph. D.)--University of Washington, 2006. / Vita. Includes bibliographical references (leaves 137-148).

Forcible rapes continue to occur at a rate of 1.3 per minute (National Victim Center, 1992). With an estimated 12.1 million women having been raped in our country (National Victim Center, 1992) and with most victims knowing the rapist, the importance of understanding the underlying dynamics leading to sexually aggressive behavior becomes imperative.The purpose of this study was to further delineate a possible contributory factor in the predisposition for rape. Specifically, this study examined the relationship between the perceived quality of father-child relationship and those underlying motivational and attitudinal factors associated with men who perpetrate sexual aggression towards women. A sample of 264 male college students were given a series of instruments examining underlying power motivations, sex-role stereotyping beliefs, attitudes of hostility toward women, relationship with father, relationship with mother, and sexually aggressive behavior. A hierarchical regression analysis was performed to examine the relationship between parent-child relationship and sexually aggressive attitudes and behavior.The results revealed that, consistent with previously reported literature, one measure of relationship with father was found to account for a significant amount of variance in hostility toward women. Relationship with father was not found to be significantly related to any of the remaining criterion measures. Relationship with mother was found to be significantly related to sex-role stereotyping. All criterion measures were significantly correlated with each other as were all the predictor measures.The results are discussed in relation to the hypotheses and previous research findings. / Department of Counseling Psychology and Guidance Services

Thesis (MPsy(Specialisation))--University of South Australia, 2002.

Thesis (MPsy(Specialisation))--University of South Australia, 2002.

Thesis (M.S.)--Ohio University, November, 2007. / Title from PDF t.p. Includes bibliographical references.

Thesis (M.A.)--University of North Carolina Wilmington, 2008. / Appendices: 76-92. Title from PDF title page (October 25, 2008) Includes bibliographical references (p. 71-75)

The current study used a Post-positivist paradigm and was quantitative in nature. In addition, it used a descriptive survey design, which utilized self-reported questionnaires. The final sample included 125 students, ages 18-20, in undergraduate psychology courses at a Southern California university. This study attempted to explore the differences between the tree types of dating violence profiles: 1) victim only, 2) perpetrator only and 3) mutually violent; however, only 37 participants completed the questionnaire, which made statistical analysis impossible. Nonetheless, this study explored differences in relation to the demographic characteristics and five variables: a) gender, b) self-esteem, c) severity of violence, d) relationship satisfaction, and e) acceptance of violence. Therefore, this study proposed that differences would be identified and used correlations to reveal any associations between the variables. It was discovered that dating violence occurred among the sample with an 87.8% prevalence rate.

No abstract available. / Thesis (M.Dev.Studies)-University of Natal, Durban, 2002.