An Examination of Social Dominance Orientations and Campus Sexual Assault

• In Event: Using Theory to Explore College Victimization

Abstract

Using Social Dominance Theory to predict individual-level differences among college-aged men, this study examines the extent to which socially dominant orientations normalize rape myths and undermine bystander behaviors. Social dominance orientations explain the acceptance of hierarchical beliefs, which normalize a dominant ideology in social settings. Social beliefs are important to understand individual roles, attitudes, and behaviors in society. Utilizing this framework, rape myth acceptance and bystander behaviors serve as outcome variables to display differing levels of social dominance among college students. By identifying the specific mechanics that facilitate rape myth acceptance and bystander behaviors, the results of this study provide implications towards the enhancement of prevention programs, interventions, and victim services on college campuses.

Author

• Alesha Cameron, University of Central Florida