Blame attribution in a stranger rape case: Perpetrator characteristics and participant gender

• In rape blame research perpetrator characteristics is understudied. The relative independence of perpetrator blame and victim blame is also unclear. Using a community sample (N=161), we investigated participant gender, perpetrator age and previous conviction influencing blame attributions using a vignette methodology. Perpetrator age had no effect, but interactions were found between participant gender and perpetrator previous conviction: men attributed more victim blame and less perpetrator blame when the perpetrator had a previous conviction. For women the effect was reversed. Results indicate that increased perpetrator blame is associated to decreased victim blame. Moreover, perpetrator characteristics are relevant in blame attribution research.

Subject headings

SAMHÄLLSVETENSKAP  -- Annan samhällsvetenskap -- Övrig annan samhällsvetenskap (hsv//swe)

SOCIAL SCIENCES  -- Other Social Sciences -- Other Social Sciences not elsewhere specified (hsv//eng)

Keyword

rape victim blame

perpetrator characteristics

Publication and Content Type

vet (subject category)

kon (subject category)