To Have and to Hold

Abstract

The perceptions surrounding marital versus stranger rape were investigated in a sample of 195 undergraduates. Subjects rated their reactions to one of two hypothetical rape scenarios that were exactly the same in form and content except for the identification of the man as the woman's husband (marital condition) or as a stranger (stranger condition). Factor analysis of the questions used to assess perceptions revealed one strong factor that was labeled rape-supportive beliefs. Consistent with previous research on date rape, individuals were significantly more likely to minimize the seriousness of rape perpetrated by a husband than rape perpetrated by a stranger. In general, the female subjects considered rape a more serious event than the male subjects. However, an unexpected gender-by-relationship interaction was found on two of the rape-supportive questions. Some evidence suggested that sex role expectations influence the perceptions of marital rape. The results are discussed within a sex role socialization theory of rape.