Poster #85 - Examining the Effects of Latent Bias on Sentencing Recommendations for Campus Sexual Assault

• In Event: ASC Poster Session II

Abstract

This study utilizes experimental vignettes (n = 1,000) to examine the effects of sex, rape myth acceptance (RMA), personal history with sexual assault (SA), perpetrator sex, victim sex, and sexuality of offenders on punitivity in college sexual assault. Logistical regression was used to analyze the relationship between punitive attitudes and perceptions of SA in theoretical scenarios regarding drugged rape and forcible rape with experimentally manipulated variables. Results show that participants recommended longer sentences and higher fines if they experienced SA, took a women and gender studies class, were female, and in cases involving male perpetrators. Offender sexual orientation also influenced sentencing recommendation in certain models. Regression demonstrated that participants who had higher levels of RMA were less likely to desire stricter punishments.

Authors

• Yusra Haroon, Penn State Altoona

• Riley Fegley, Penn State Altoona

• Samantha Gavin, St. Bonaventure University

• Nicholas Rowland, Penn State Altoona

• Nathan E. Kruis, Penn State Altoona