The effects of normative influence on rape-myth acceptance and rape proclivity

The aim of this study is to assess possible predictorsof rape proclivity. More specifically, the relationshipbetween in-group identification, as described bySelf-catergorisation theory, rape-myth acceptanceand rape proclivity is investigated. A between-subjects design is used. All 90 participants involvedin this study are British male students of theUniversity of Kent. Participants completed one ofthree questionnaires that featured three sub-sections: (1) feedback from an in-group (Britishuniversity students); (2) feedback from an out-group (Greek university students); or (3) nofeedback (control group). The results are in supportof the hypotheses that the participants who received the feedback (intervention information)will score lower in rape-myth acceptance and rapeprolivity measurements. The results do not supportthe hypotheses that participants that received thefeedback from their in-group would score lower onrape-myth acceptance and rape proclivity than theparticipants who received feedback from their out-group. The theoretical and practical implications ofthe findings are discussed.