Social Desirability Correlates for Acceptance of Rape Myth

1993 ◽  
Vol 73 (3_suppl) ◽  
pp. 1218-1218 ◽  
Author(s):  
Rebecca B. Spohn
Keyword(s):  
University Students ◽  
Social Desirability ◽  
Rape Myths ◽  
Rape Myth Acceptance ◽  
Rape Myth ◽  
Social Desirability Scale ◽  
The Social ◽  
Acceptance Scale ◽  
The Mean ◽  
Myth Acceptance

To examine the social desirability correlates for acceptance of rape myths, university students, 134 women and 56 men, completed the Rape Myth Acceptance Scale and the Marlowe-Crowne Social Desirability Scale. The mean score on the former was 98.8 and for the latter 14.3. Over-all, scores on the Marlowe-Crowne Social Desirability Scale were not significantly correlated with scores on the Rape Myth Acceptance Scale ( r = .10). Values were .03 for women and .16 for men.

The Relationship Between Rape Myth Acceptance and Sexual Behaviors

2020 ◽  
pp. 088626052091683
Author(s):  
Ashley K. Fansher ◽  
Sara B. Zedaker
Keyword(s):  
Sexual Behaviors ◽  
Belief Systems ◽  
Rape Myths ◽  
Rape Myth Acceptance ◽  
Individual Characteristics ◽  
Rape Myth ◽  
Sex And Sexuality ◽  
Acceptance Scale ◽  
Intervention Programming ◽  
Myth Acceptance

An extensive amount of research has been devoted to understanding rape myths, especially in the context of sexual attitudes. Few studies have examined sexual actions as a correlate of rape myth acceptance (RMA). As such, this study utilizes the Updated Illinois Rape Myth Acceptance Scale (IRMA) and its four distinct subscales to examine adherence to rape myths and an individual’s view of sex and sexuality in a sample of 1,310 college students. The IRMA was included in its entirety and separated into its four subscales: “She asked for it,” “He didn’t mean to,” “It wasn’t really rape,” and “She lied.” Results indicated that the most impactful variables for all four subscales were adversarial heterosexual beliefs, stereotypical gender beliefs, and being male. The main implications of this study pertain to implementation of programming. Intervention programming should focus on younger males due to their increased adherence to certain rape myths. Furthermore, programs that address not only rape myths but also other traditional and negative belief systems should be employed. Results of this study lend support to the supposition that it is not necessarily individual characteristics that have a large effect on RMA but is instead a strong adherence to traditional belief systems.

scholarly journals Rape myth acceptance as a relevant psychological construct in a gender-unequal context: The Hungarian adaptation of the updated Illinois rape myths acceptance scale

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Boglárka Nyúl ◽  
Anna Kende
Keyword(s):  
Discriminant Validity ◽  
Reliability And Validity ◽  
Rape Myths ◽  
The United States ◽  
Rape Myth Acceptance ◽  
Rape Myth ◽  
Convenience Sample ◽  
Acceptance Scale ◽  
Nationally Representative ◽  
Myth Acceptance

AbstractThe Updated Illinois Rape Myth Acceptance Scale (UIRMAS) has been widely used for measuring rape myth acceptance. The scale was created in the United States, however studies have shown that rape myth is a culturally and socially embedded phenomenon. Therefore, in order to measure rape myth acceptance in other parts of the world, the scale needs to be validated. Victim blaming and rape myths are both widespread in public reactions to rape in Hungary (i.e., in media reports and public opinion). Furthermore, Hungary can be characterized by a weak feminist movement and scoring low on gender equality measures. Nevertheless, we expected and found the reliability and validity of the Hungarian version of the Updated Illinois Rape myth acceptance Scale (UIRMAS). In Study 1 we conducted a confirmative factor analysis to assess the structural validity of the scale and identified the original factors of UIRMAS on a large convenience sample (N = 758, 25.4% men 74.6% women). In line with previous empirical evidence we also found that men, people with stronger just-world beliefs and higher sexism accepted rape myths more. In Study 2 we again found support for the original factor structure and construct validity of UIRMAS on a nationally representative sample (N = 1007, 49.2% men 50.8% women), and also tested its convergent and discriminant validity. The results suggest that UIRMAS is a valid and reliable scale in the Hungarian context that can, for example, be used for measuring impact assessment of interventions.

Police Officers’ Rape Myth Acceptance: Examining the Role of Officer Characteristics, Estimates of False Reporting, and Social Desirability Bias

2018 ◽  
Vol 33 (1) ◽  
pp. 176-200 ◽  
Author(s):  
Rachel M. Venema
Keyword(s):  
Sexual Assault ◽  
Social Desirability ◽  
Police Officers ◽  
Police Department ◽  
Rape Myth Acceptance ◽  
Rape Myth ◽  
Social Desirability Bias ◽  
False Reporting ◽  
Acceptance Scale ◽  
Myth Acceptance

This study examines police officers’ perceptions of sexual assault and those who report sexual assault to the police, using a revised version of the Rape Myth Acceptance Scale along with a measure of social desirability bias. The study includes survey responses from 174 officers from 1 mid-sized police department in the Great Lakes region. Results show low to moderate levels of rape myth acceptance scores on the Rape Myth Acceptance Scale, with highest scores related to victim lying. Officers report very high estimates of false reporting, indicating some rape myth acceptance. Officer level of education, rank, and estimates of false reporting influence rape myth acceptance; however, social desirability bias is an important explanatory factor. Implications for measurement and training are discussed.

Blame is in the eye of the beholder: Assessing the Role of Ambivalent Sexism on Subtle Rape Myth Acceptance

2021 ◽  
Vol 8 (2) ◽  
pp. 284-295
Author(s):  
Kallia Manoussaki ◽  
Valentina Gosetti
Keyword(s):  
Gender Inequality ◽  
Rape Myths ◽  
Ambivalent Sexism ◽  
Rape Myth Acceptance ◽  
Hostile Sexism ◽  
Rape Myth ◽  
Sexist Attitudes ◽  
Acceptance Scale ◽  
Myth Acceptance

The aim of the present study was to determine whether ambivalent sexism predicts subtle rape myth acceptance. Respondents comprised of 211 university students, who completed the Ambivalent Sexism Inventory (Glick & Fiske, 1996) and the updated version of the Illinois Rape Myth Acceptance scale (McMahon & Farmer, 2011). Results indicated that while benevolent sexism significantly predicted acceptance of subtle rape myths, hostile sexism did not. Additionally, male participants reported more ambivalent sexism and subtle rape myth acceptance than females. These findings add to the literature investigating gender inequality and rape mythology by giving a first account on the link between subtle rape myths and ambivalent sexist attitudes.

Development and Preliminary Validation of the Gender Inclusive Rape Myth Acceptance Scale

2021 ◽  
pp. 088626052110550
Author(s):  
Rebekah E. Urban ◽  
Claudia Porras Pyland
Keyword(s):  
Rape Myths ◽  
The United States ◽  
Rape Myth Acceptance ◽  
Rape Myth ◽  
Single Factor ◽  
Gender Diverse ◽  
Preliminary Validation ◽  
Acceptance Scale ◽  
And Gender ◽  
Myth Acceptance

Rape myths are widespread and contribute to a rape culture that excuses and normalizes permissive attitudes surrounding rape and sexual assault. To combat rape culture and decrease sexual assault, many programs focus on reducing rape myth acceptance (RMA). To best assess outcomes of such prevention efforts, we must ensure we are accurately measuring this construct. Current RMA scales are decades old and focus almost exclusively on cisgender women. As such, they are outdated and leave out important experiences of cisgender men and gender diverse individuals. The Gender Inclusive Rape Myth Acceptance Scale (GIRMA) was developed to address such limitations in current measures. Two studies were completed to develop and establish preliminary validation of the GIRMA. Study One included 614 adults in the United States, recruited through Amazon's Mechanical Turk; Study Two included 414 adults in the United States, recruited in the same way. An exploratory factor analysis was conducted with an original pool of 73 items that included myths about the experiences of cisgender women, cisgender men, transgender, and gender diverse individuals. Parallel analysis indicated a single factor structure for measuring rape myths. A confirmatory factor analysis was conducted for Study Two, which supported the single-factor approach. These analyses resulted in a concise, robust, inclusive 18-item scale to measure rape myths. Model fit was excellent, as was reliability. Additionally, construct validity was supported through examining the relationship between the GIRMA and previously validated RMA and sexism scales. The GIRMA offers researchers the ability to fully assess the construct of rape myths in a short, psychometrically sound manner. Future research is needed to investigate the reliability of the GIRMA in other populations.

A Brief Report on Rape Myth Acceptance: Differences Between Police Officers, Law Students, and Psychology Students in the United Kingdom

2015 ◽  
Vol 30 (1) ◽  
pp. 136-147 ◽  
Author(s):  
Emma Sleath ◽  
Ray Bull
Keyword(s):  
Police Officers ◽  
Rape Myths ◽  
Psychology Students ◽  
Rape Myth Acceptance ◽  
Law Students ◽  
Rape Myth ◽  
Rape Victims ◽  
Negative Attitudes ◽  
Acceptance Scale ◽  
Myth Acceptance

A common perception is that police officers hold very negative attitudes about rape victims. Therefore, the purpose of this article is to establish whether police officers do accept stereotypical rape myths at a higher level compared to members of other populations. There were 3 comparison samples, composed of police officers, law students, and psychology students, that completed the Illinois Rape Myth Acceptance scale. Male and female police officers accepted “she lied” myths at a higher level than the student samples. Student samples were found to accept 2 types of rape myths (“she asked for it” and “he didn’t meant to”) at a higher level compared to police officers. No significant differences were found in the other 4 subfactors. Therefore, the pattern of results suggests that police officers do not adhere to stereotypical myths about rape victims more than do other populations.

National Comparisons of Rape Myth Acceptance Predictors Between Nonathletes and Athletes From Multi-Institutional Settings

Sexual Abuse ◽  
2017 ◽  
Vol 31 (5) ◽  
pp. 543-559 ◽  
Author(s):  
John C. Navarro ◽  
Richard Tewksbury
Keyword(s):  
Rape Myths ◽  
Rape Myth Acceptance ◽  
Policy Implications ◽  
Alcoholic Beverages ◽  
Rape Myth ◽  
Social Characteristics ◽  
Future Research ◽  
Institutional Settings ◽  
Acceptance Scale ◽  
Myth Acceptance

Athletes are cited as common perpetrators of sexual victimization and are at greater risk of becoming offenders compared with nonathletes. Demographic, lifestyle, and social characteristics of 624 nonathletes and 101 athletes from 21 U.S. Division I postsecondary educational institutions were assessed, with the updated Illinois Rape Myth Acceptance scale gauging endorsement of rape myths. Results indicate that athletes and nonathletes were similar in the degree of rape myth acceptance, with athletes reporting stronger agreement with rape myths than nonathletes did. Predictors of rape myth acceptance among nonathletes are multidimensional. In contrast, nondemographic characteristics like Greek membership, the number of alcoholic beverages consumed, and knowing a sexual assault victim predict rape myth acceptance for athletes, with gender not predicting rape myth acceptance nor different between genders of athletes. Policy implications and future research are discussed.

Illinois Rape Myth Acceptance Scale--Chinese Version

2019 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jia Xue ◽  
Gang Fang ◽  
Hui Huang ◽  
Naixue Cui ◽  
Karin V. Rhodes ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Rape Myth Acceptance ◽  
Chinese Version ◽  
Rape Myth ◽  
Acceptance Scale ◽  
Myth Acceptance

scholarly journals Psychometric properties of the polish updated Illinois rape myth acceptance scale

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Agnieszka Ewa Łyś ◽  
Kamilla Bargiel-Matusiewicz ◽  
Tomasz Krasuski ◽  
Anna Studzińska
Keyword(s):  
Psychometric Properties ◽  
Five Factor Model ◽  
Social Dominance Orientation ◽  
Rape Myth Acceptance ◽  
Hostile Sexism ◽  
Rape Myth ◽  
Men And Women ◽  
Acceptance Scale ◽  
Better Than ◽  
Myth Acceptance

AbstractStereotyped beliefs concerning rape, called rape myths, are a global problem. The aim of the studies was to assess the psychometric properties of the Polish version of the Updated Illinois Rape Myth Acceptance Scale which is used to assess rape myth acceptance. The tool has a high internal consistency (α = .92) and an overly good test-retest reliability (the It Wasn’t Really Rape subscale being one exception), The five-factor model fits the data better than the four-factor one. Both in the case of the four-factor and the five-factor models the brief version fits the data better than the full one. The study also demonstrated positive correlations of rape myth acceptance with right-wing authoritarianism, social dominance orientation, system justification, cultural conservatism, hostile sexism, benevolent sexism, beliefs in biological origins of the differences between men and women and unjust world beliefs. The correlation between rape myth acceptance and beliefs in cultural origins of the differences between men and women was negative. The analyses suggest that the Polish Updated Illinois Rape Myth Acceptance Scale is a reliable and valid tool and can be useful for further studies of rape myth acceptance.

scholarly journals Assessing Rape Myth Acceptance: A Contribution to Italian Validation of the Measure for Assessing Subtle Rape Myth (SRMA-IT)

Sexual Abuse ◽  
2021 ◽  
pp. 107906322110281
Author(s):  
Mara Martini ◽  
Stefano Tartaglia ◽  
Norma De Piccoli
Keyword(s):  
Factor Analysis ◽  
Convergent Validity ◽  
Rape Myths ◽  
Strong Relationship ◽  
Rape Myth Acceptance ◽  
Rape Myth ◽  
Italian Validation ◽  
Confirmatory Factor ◽  
Initial Hypothesis ◽  
Myth Acceptance

The study aimed to validate the Italian version of the Measure for Assessing Subtle Rape Myths developed by McMahon and Farmer. A sample of 3,915 university students (70.8% female) completed the questionnaire. After an exploratory factor analysis, a confirmatory factor analysis tested the resulting four-factor structure of the Italian Subtle Rape Myth Acceptance (SRMA-IT) Scale (“She Asked for It”; “He Didn’t Mean To”; “It Wasn’t Really Rape”; and “She Lied”), consistent with McMahon and Farmer’s initial hypothesis. The Italian validation did not include items related to intoxication. Internal consistency of the subscales was good (α from .78 to .90). Convergent validity between all subscales and System Justification–Gender was detected: A strong relationship was observed ( r is from .19 to .33; p < .001). The independent-sample T test then showed that women accepted all four rape myths significantly less than men: Effect size is more than moderate for the myth “She Asked for It” (Cohen’s d = .60) and between small and moderate for the other myths ( d is from .35 to .42). Acceptance of rape myths is often associated with higher men’s proclivity to rape and with tendency to raped women’s double victimization (they can be not believed or blamed when they disclose the rape). Having a validated instrument to measure rape myth acceptance can enhance empirical research on this topic and help to develop interventions of prevention both for men in the society and for the first responders to disclosures, also sustaining a culture of respect and of contrast to violence.

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