Role of Social Dominance Orientation, Gender Stereotypes And Rape Empathy: Attitudes toward Rape Victims Among Adults

Abstract

Prevalence of rape is linked to the acceptance of negative attitudes toward rape victims. The purpose of the current study was to assess the moderating role of rapevictim empathy and rape-perpetrator empathy on the relationship between social dominance orientation and attitudes toward rape victims among adults. The study also tested the moderating role of rape-victim empathy and rape-perpetrator empathy on the relationship between gender stereotypes and attitudes toward rape victims among adults. Research design of the current study was correlational research. A sample of 510 educated male and female adults participated in the study whose age ranged between 18 and 60 years. The study used standardized scales to assess study variables among adults which included Social Dominance Orientation Scale, Gender Stereotypes Scale, Rape-Victim Empathy Scale, Rape-Perpetrator Scale and Attitudes toward Rape Victims Scale. Results showed that both the moderators played a significant role in moderating the relationship between social dominance orientation and attitudes toward rape victims among adults. In addition, the findings also revealed that both moderators played a significant role in the relationship between gender stereotypes and attitudes toward rape victims among adults. Moreover, the findings indicated significant correlation between study variables. The predictors reported significant impact on attitudes toward rape victims. Socio-demographic differences (gender, age, prior victimization, marital status, residential area, and employment status) were measured on the study variables as well. The findings revealed that the female adults had higher level of empathy towards rape victims and lower level of social dominance orientation, gender stereotypes, rape-perpetrator empathy, and negative attitudes toward rape victims as compared to male adults. The current study has significant implications for rape prevention, interventions, and awareness programs.