Abstract

When considering sexual violence, men are often left out of the conversation or only viewed as offenders. Previous research has investigated gender role stereotypes and implicit decision-making. To highlight men’s experiences as victims in sexual violence cases, the present study set out to break down gender stereotypes and analyze mental health organizations’ and domestic violence shelters’ preparedness to serve male victims, as well as analyze their own clinicians’ perceptions on male rape myths. Resident Assistants on a college campus were also invited to participate. Participants completed the Implicit Association Test (IAT) and the Male Rape Myths survey. The IAT was a word and image association task that studied participants’ reaction times to determine implicit bias. The Male Rape Myths survey was answered using an agreeableness scale. One representative from each organization did not complete the IAT and Male Rape Myths survey and instead answered a preparedness survey about what services their agency offered to clients and what their experience was with serving male victims of sexual assault. Male Rape Myths, age, preparedness, and the IAT were tested using correlations, while gender, experience, and Male Rape Myths were tested using t-tests. No participants accepted the myths, but men displayed stronger tendencies to support the Male Rape Myths than women. The principle conclusion was that, although many agree that men struggle with sexual assault, the myths formed by gender role conformity are still supported.

Keywords: rape myths, IAT, gender stereotypes, support organization preparedness

Advisor

Herzmann, Grit

Department

Psychology

Disciplines

Psychology

Publication Date

2018

Degree Granted

Bachelor of Arts

Document Type

Senior Independent Study Thesis

Download

Share

COinS
 

© Copyright 2018 Emily Colwell