This Article Full Text (PDF) References Alert me when this article is cited Alert me if a correction is posted Citation Map Services Email this article to a friend Similar articles in this journal Similar articles in Web of Science Similar articles in PubMed Alert me to new issues of the journal Add to Saved Citations Download to citation manager Request Permissions Request Reprints Add to My Marked Citations Citing Articles Citing Articles via HighWire Citing Articles via Web of Science (5) Citing Articles via Google Scholar Citing Articles via Scopus Google Scholar Articles by Nagel, B. Articles by Morrison, N. Search for Related Content PubMed PubMed Citation Articles by Nagel, B. Articles by Morrison, N. Social Bookmarking                         What's this?

Attitudes Toward Victims of Rape

Effects of Gender, Race, Religion, and Social Class

Saint Louis University

Hisako Matsuo

Saint Louis University

Kevin P. McIntyre

Saint Louis University

Nancy Morrison

Saint Louis University

Although previous literature focusing on perceptions of victims of rape has examined how gender, race, and culture influence the attitudes one holds toward victims, these studies have yielded mixed results. This study compared perceptions of victims of rape across a wide range of ages, educational backgrounds, religions, and income levels, while focusing on gender and racial differences. Results indicate (N = 220) that victims of rape are generally viewed more sympathetically by females than by males and by Whites than by African Americans. However, the effect of race disappears when socioeconomic variables are controlled, suggesting a more complex relationship. Also, a hierarchical regression indicates that age, sex, education, and income are significant predictors of attitudes toward victims. This study builds on existing research that examines such attitudes from a cultural perspective and extends this literature by examining the interactive effects of several demographic variables within a community sample.

Key Words: victims of rape • attitudes • demographic variables • gender • race • educational background • religion • income level

Journal of Interpersonal Violence, Vol. 20, No. 6, 725-737 (2005)
DOI: 10.1177/0886260505276072


CiteULike    Complore    Connotea    Del.icio.us    Digg    Reddit    Technorati    Twitter    What's this?

This article has been cited by other articles:

				K. E. Boakye Attitudes Toward Rape and Victims of Rape: A Test of the Feminist Theory in Ghana J Interpers Violence, October 1, 2009; 24(10): 1633 - 1651. [Abstract] [PDF]

				D. M. Currier and J. H. Carlson Creating Attitudinal Change Through Teaching: How a Course on "Women and Violence" Changes Students' Attitudes About Violence Against Women J Interpers Violence, October 1, 2009; 24(10): 1735 - 1754. [Abstract] [PDF]

				M. Flood and B. Pease Factors Influencing Attitudes to Violence Against Women Trauma Violence Abuse, April 1, 2009; 10(2): 125 - 142. [Abstract] [PDF]

				C. Ferro, J. Cermele, and A. Saltzman Current Perceptions of Marital Rape: Some Good and Not-So-Good News J Interpers Violence, June 1, 2008; 23(6): 764 - 779. [Abstract] [PDF]

				R. A. Donovan To Blame or Not To Blame: Influences of Target Race and Observer Sex on Rape Blame Attribution J Interpers Violence, June 1, 2007; 22(6): 722 - 736. [Abstract] [PDF]

				L. M. Long, S. E. Ullman, L. L. Starzynski, S. M. Long, and G. E. Mason Age and Educational Differences in African American Women's Sexual Assault Experiences Feminist Criminology, April 1, 2007; 2(2): 117 - 136. [Abstract] [PDF]