부산대학교 도서관

This study investigated the effects of contextual and individual difference features on perceptions of believability of a hypothetical sexual assault victim's report. Undergraduates read a vignette describing an alleged sexual assault in which the victim was either poor or wealthy and rated the woman's believability. In both socioeconomic status conditions, participants then learned that the victim and perpetrator had a previous, consensual sexual relationship and consumed alcohol at the time of the assault and provided a second and third believability rating. Believability ratings decreased as additional information was provided. Men, participants with greater rape myth acceptance, and men with lower levels of rape empathy rated the victim's believability as significantly lower than women, participants with less rape myth acceptance, and men with higher rape empathy. Based on study findings, we provide recommendations for college campuses and law enforcement groups working with sexual assault victims. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]