DATE RAPE - AN ANALYSIS OF 2 CONTEXTUAL VARIABLES

This study examined the impact of perceived token resistance and previous sexual contact on men's discrimination of when a female wants her partner to stop his sexual advances. Male college students were randomly assigned to one of four conditions. Before listening to an audiotape of a date rape, subjects were told that the couple had been on five dates. On the previous date, the man had manipulated the woman's breasts or genitals. Subjects were also told that the woman did not object to this contact, or that she initially objected to the contact but subsequently stopped resisting the contact. Relative to subjects in the no-resistance condition, subjects in the perceived token resistance conditions took significantly longer to determine that the man should refrain from attempting further sexual contact. The implications of the findings are discussed.