The Impact of Power and Disposition on the Evaluation of Sexual Assault

Greater rape myth acceptance has been connected to increased victim blaming as well as reduced blame assigned to perpetrators, thereby contributing to the occurrence of rape and impacting survivor well-being (Alaya et al., 2018; Chapleau & Oswald, 2013; Eyssel & Bohner, 2011; Gravelin et al., 2019; Grubb & Turner, 2012; Suarez & Gadalla, 2010). However, variability exists in terms of how scholars conceptualize the relationship between rape myth usage and survivor and perpetrator blame. Thus, the current study sought to extend existing knowledge by investigating the relationship between rape myth utilization and assignment of survivor and perpetrator blame as influenced by personality factors and contextual cues. Specifically, we examined how social dominance orientation and perception of personal and social power informs assignment of blame in sexual assault scenarios among a sample of community participants recruited from social media (N = 462). Social dominance orientation significantly predicted greater victim blame and lower perpetrator blame after controlling for sex assigned at birth, prior victimization, and knowledge of others’ victimization. Findings from this study have implications for both individual clinical interventions and broader system-level efforts aimed at preventing and addressing sexual assault.