Does Familiarity With A Rape Victim Influence Rape Myth Acceptance?

Abstract

The topic of rape myth acceptance has been extensively studied; however, research investigating how rape myth acceptance may be related to a person's familiarity with a rape victim is minimal. To assess this relationship, 160 male and female undergraduate students indicated their degree of acceptance of rape myths on one of two versions of the Illinois Rape ~yth Acceptance Scale (IRMAS). One version presented the traditional IRMAS' items that referred to a hypothetical woman. The other version developed for the present study included personalized items that referred to a friend of the participant. The present study was the first to alter the actual rape myth acceptance statements rated by participants so the statements promoted familiarity with the potential victim. It was hypothesized that participants who were told to envision the items as involving a friend of theirs would endorse fewer rape myths than would the participants responding to statements about a hypothetical woman. Based on previous research findings,.men were expected to score significantly higher on rape myth endorsements than women. Contrary to expectations, the attempt to personalize rape myths did not result in lower rape myth acceptance scores. Reasons for this lack of significance are discussed. As expected, male university students scored higher on rape myth endorsements than did female students. Limitations of the present study, as well as suggestions for future research, are presented. Future research is needed in order to determine the influence of familiarity with a potential victim of sexual assault and endorsements of rape myths.

Date of Award	2010
Original language	American English
Awarding Institution	Eastern Illinois University
Supervisor	Linda Leal (Supervisor)