How Perceptions of Sexual Assault Perpetrators Depend on Their Status and Atonement
Author Information
Author(s): Delker Brianna C., Means Kira K., Schwam Allison, Patterson Aubrie L., Fogel Camille A., Brown Amelita, Czopp Alex M., McLean Kate C.
Primary Institution: Department of Psychology, Western Washington University
Hypothesis
The more audiences are psychologically invested in an unequal status quo, the more they will favor perpetrators, especially when high-status perpetrators atone less.
Conclusion
The study found that greater perpetrator atonement led to more favorable evaluations of both the perpetrator and the victim, while higher system justification predicted more favorable evaluations of the perpetrator and less favorable evaluations of the victim.
Supporting Evidence
- Greater perpetrator atonement boosted favorability ratings for both the perpetrator and the victim.
- Higher system justification beliefs led to less favorable evaluations of the victim.
- Participants with lower system justification were more empathetic towards perpetrators who atoned.
Takeaway
When someone is accused of sexual assault, how people view them can change based on their social status and whether they admit to their wrongdoing.
Methodology
A vignette-based experiment with a 2x3 design where participants evaluated narratives of sexual assault based on perpetrator status and atonement.
Potential Biases
Potential biases in participant evaluations based on their own system justification beliefs.
Limitations
The study used fictional characters, which may not fully capture real-world dynamics of known perpetrators and victims.
Participant Demographics
Participants included U.S. adults, with a diverse representation of gender identities and races.
Statistical Information
P-Value
p<0.05
Statistical Significance
p<0.05
Digital Object Identifier (DOI)
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