Citation

Petty GML, Dawson B. Pers. Individ. Dif. 1989; 10(3): 355-362.

Copyright

(Copyright © 1989, Elsevier Publishing)

DOI

10.1016/0191-8869(89)90109-8

PMID

unavailable

Abstract

This study examined personality characteristics and beliefs of two groups of college men: one which reported a high use of force in sexual experiences and one which reported a low use of force in sexual experiences. A discriminant function analysis revealed that the endorsement of the acceptability of using force in sexual encounters, the self-reported likelihood to rape if certain of not being detected, and the personality characteristics of aggression, social recognition, impulsivity, and dominance discriminated between the two groups. However, the High Force men's scores on the four personality traits above were not outside the normal range for college men. Likelihood of being accused or convicted of rape were believed to be "somewhat unlikely" by both groups. The incidence of use of physical force to obtain sexual intercourse was comparable to that found in other studies: 4.78%. Two-week test-retest reliability estimate for the Use of Force in Sexual Experiences Scale, was 0.82 (P lt 0.01). These incidence rates as well as the fact that none of the men scored outside the normal range on the personality characteristics suggest that men who use force in sexual relationships reflect a statistically, non-deviant group of individuals.