Gender and personality differences in the interpretation of female interest and in the perception of consent with respect to various date rape situations

The differences in female and male students' responses to variations of the number of prior dates and a woman's level of "demonstrated interest" in scenarios resulting in date rape were investigated. Measures of assertiveness, sex-role stereotyping, and rape-myth acceptance were also analyzed for differences and for their relation to scenario question responses. As predicted, results indicated effects of subject gender, number of prior dates, level of "interest," sex-role stereotyping, and rape-myth acceptance on responses to various questions concerning the scenario. Assertiveness was not found to have an effect. Explanations for these results are explored, and suggestions are offered for mediating or preventing the indoctrination of sex-role stereotypes and rape-myths, which often leads to date rape via the differential interpretations made in the sexual situation of a date.