Attribution of rape blame as a function of victim gender and sexuality, and perceived similarity to the victim
- Authors: Burt, Darren , DeMello, Lesley
- Date: 2002
- Type: Text , Journal article
- Relation: Journal of Homosexuality Vol. 43, no. 2 (2002), p. 39-57
- Full Text: false
- Reviewed:
- Description: This study examined respondents' perceived level of blame and responsibility for three victims of rape, as a function of attitudes toward homosexuals, and perceived similarity to the victim, as indicative of Shaver's (1970) Defensive Attribution Hypothesis. Victims were a homosexual and heterosexual male, and a female. A sample of 168 university students completed questionnaires, which included three rape scenarios and subsequent questions, the Index of Attitudes Toward Homosexuals (Hudson & Ricketts, 1980), and the short-form Marlowe-Crowne Social Desirability Scale (Reynolds, 1982). Results indicated that respondents higher in homophobia (regardless of gender) blamed the homosexual male rape victim and the behavior and character of the heterosexual male rape victim, more than the female rape victim. Male respondents in general also blamed the heterosexual male rape victim, more than female respondents. Shaver's defensive attribution hypothesis was not supported. Results are discussed in terms of the possible link between homophobia and male rape blame. © 2002 by The Haworth Press, Inc. All rights reserved.
The attitudes of Australian heterosexual university students towards the suicide of gay, lesbian and heterosexual peers
- Authors: Molloy, Mari , McLaren, Suzanne
- Date: 2004
- Type: Text , Journal article
- Relation: Journal of Gay and Lesbian Issues in Education Vol. 2, no. 2 (2004), p. 27-51
- Full Text: false
- Reviewed:
- Description: This study sought to examine the attitudes of heterosexual university students to peer suicide when that peer was gay, lesbian, or heterosexual. University students (n = 206) completed several questionnaires, including The Suicide Attitude Vignette Experience. Results indicated that the suicide act was seen as more justified, acceptable, and necessary when the adolescent was gay or lesbian. Further, gay and lesbian youth suicide victims were shown significantly less empathy than heterosexual suicide victims. Participants' level of homophobia was found to be a significant predictor of attitudes toward gay and lesbian youth suicide. Results indicate that the peer group of gay and lesbian youth is unsupportive of their sexual orientation, and these attitudes may be an additional risk factor for gay and lesbian youth suicide.
- Description: C1
- Description: 2003000950