Exploring an individual’s beliefs and attitudes that can predict the endorsement of rape myths.

Morris, Hannah (2018) Exploring an individual’s beliefs and attitudes that can predict the endorsement of rape myths. Manchester Metropolitan University. (Unpublished)

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Abstract

The act of rape is believed to be one of the most underreported crimes in the UK (Grubb and Turner, 2012). Research into why that is has shown that Rape Myth Acceptance (RMA) is a very influential phenomenon that is very prevalent in today’s society. This has huge implications for the victims of rape as if they believe they are going to be condemned to preconceived judgements and unfair stereotypes, they are less likely to come forward and report their experience (Campbell and Raja, 2005). The present study aims to explore whether an individual’s belief in a just world, sexist attitude and victim blaming tendencies can predict how likely they are to endorse rape myths. The study used an opportunity sample of 179 participants, of any gender, all over the age of 18. A hierarchal regression analysis was conducted, which indicated that sexism and victim blaming were the only significant predictors of rape myth acceptance. A mediation analysis also suggested that victim blaming was playing a mediating role on the relationship between sexism and rape myth acceptance.