Sex-role stereotypes and commitment of rape

Sociologists sometimes speculate that sexual offenses are related to the process of sex-role stereotyping of the female while simultaneously over-reacting in the form of “macho” behavior. In order to determine the validity of this proposed relationship, a series of paper and pencil attitude tests were administered to three populations of men. This sample included sex offenders, other offenders, and nonoffenders. A total of 119 subjects participated. The sample was selected from Lima State Hospital (Ohio), Lebanon Correctional Institution (Ohio), and nonincarcerated males working in the private sector of Dayton, Ohio. The testing instruments included the Attitude Toward Women Scale, Bem Sex-Role Inventory, the Macho Scale, and the Open Subordination of Women Scale. A multivariate analysis of variance did not establish statistical significance for either the factors of location, offense committed, or the victim orientation.