The Relationship between Psychopathic Personality Traits and Rape Myth Acceptance across Gender

• In Event: Bringing Gender In: Issues in Developmental and Biosocial Criminology

Abstract

Research spanning decades links the acceptance of rape myths with sexual coercion and violence. One aspect of rape myth acceptance (RMA) that is less well understood is the specific personality traits that underlie RMA. Psychopathy has emerged as a possible personality disorder that fosters the acceptance of rape myths. Psychopathic traits include increased callousness, egocentricity and impulsive antisocial behavior. Psychopathy may be associated with increased RMA through a disregard for or an inability to understand the perspective of victims of sexual coercion and violence. Despite potential linkages psychopathy and RMA is untested. Using a proprietary sample of undergraduate students, the current study seeks to test the relationship between psychopathy on RMA across gender.

Authors

• Eric Cooke, Sam Houston State University

• Richard Lewis, Sam Houston State University

• Danielle Boisvert, Sam Houston State University

• Leana Bouffard, Iowa State University

• Brittany E. Hayes, Sam Houston State University

• Todd Armstrong, University of Nebraska, Omaha