"She Deserved It": Effects of Sexism Norms, Type of Violence, and Victim's Pre-Assault Behavior on Blame Attributions Toward Female Victims and Approval of the Aggressor's Behavior. (April 2014)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Koepke, Sabrina; Eyssel, Friederike; Bohner, Gerd
• Is Part Of: Violence against women. Volume 20:Number 4(2014:Apr.)
• Page Start: 446
• Page End: 464
• Publication Date: 2014-04
• Subjects: ambivalent sexism -- feminine gender-role stereotypes -- sexual and non-sexual violence -- social norms -- victim behavior; Abused women -- Periodicals; Women -- Crimes against -- Periodicals; Violent crimes -- Periodicals; Femmes victimes de violence -- Périodiques; Femmes, Crimes contre les -- Périodiques; Crimes violents -- Périodiques; 362.8292
• DOI: 10.1177/1077801214528581
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 1077-8012

Abstract

Effects of ambivalent sexism, sexism norms, victim behavior, and type of violence on male students' reactions to male violence against women in intimate relationships were examined. Participants judged a scenario depicting an act of sexual or non-sexual violence against a female partner who had either shown overtly sexual or non-sexual behavior toward another man. Generally, high (vs. low) hostile sexism, high (vs. low) hostile sexism norm feedback, and victim's overtly sexual (vs. non-sexual) behavior led to stronger victim blame and perceived approval of the aggressor's behavior. The victim of non-sexual violence was blamed more than the rape victim, particularly if she had behaved in an overtly sexual manner.