Heterosocial cues and perceptions of sexual intentions : effects of sexual connotativeness, verbal refusal, and rape outcome
- UNCG Author/Contributor (non-UNCG co-authors, if there are any, appear on document)
- Robin M. Kowalski (Creator)
- Institution
- The University of North Carolina at Greensboro (UNCG )
- Web Site: http://library.uncg.edu/
- Advisor
- Jacquelyn W. White
Abstract: This study was designed to examine the extent to which men's and women's perceptions of consent by a woman to sexual intercourse are determined by the additive and interactive effects of the woman's verbal statements and nonverbal behaviors, the degree of consistency between these two modes of communication, and whether or not the woman is forced to have sex. After reading a scenario describing a couple on a date, subjects rated the man and the woman on a number of attributes and completed questions relevant to what they had read. Consistent with previous research, this study found strong support for the suggestion that men have a lower threshold than women for imputing sexual meaning to behaviors. In addition, perceptions of consistency between the woman's verbal statements and nonverbal behaviors affected subjects' ratings not only of the woman but also of the man. Subjects rated both the man and the woman more favorably when the woman's verbal statements were consistent with her nonverbal behaviors. Finally, contrary to previous research, this study provided little evidence for the suggestion that people often blame the victim for having precipitated a rape. Rather, subjects were less likely to attribute blame and responsibility to the woman when she was forced to have intercourse than when she was not.
Heterosocial cues and perceptions of sexual intentions : effects of sexual connotativeness, verbal refusal, and rape outcome
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Created on 1/1/1990
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Additional Information
- Publication
- Dissertation
- Language: English
- Date: 1990
- Subjects
- Sex (Psychology)
- Sexual ethics
- Men $x Attitudes
- Women $x Attitudes
- Acquaintance rape