• DOI:10.1300/J082v43n02_03
• Corpus ID: 20193081

Attribution of Rape Blame as a Function of Victim Gender and Sexuality, and Perceived Similarity to the Victim

@article{Burt2002AttributionOR,
  title={Attribution of Rape Blame as a Function of Victim Gender and Sexuality, and Perceived Similarity to the Victim},
  author={Darren L Burt and L R Demello},
  journal={Journal of Homosexuality},
  year={2002},
  volume={43},
  pages={39 - 57}
}

• Darren L Burt, L. Demello
• Published 13 March 2003
• Psychology
• Journal of Homosexuality

Abstract 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.