PSYCHOLOGY MASTER'S THESIS ABSTRACT

Keith Erselius
MA-Research
Summer 2007

Effects of Attire, Context, and Observer Gender on the Perceived Guilt for Sexual Assault

    The purpose of this study was to examine gender differences in perceived guilt of a male accused of sexual assault as a function of the attire of the female victim and the context in which the female was observed.  To examine this, participants viewed a video clip that depicted a smiling female dressed either in provocative or conservative attire who was seated at either a library study table or at a bar.  Participants were then given details about an alleged assault of this female by a male and asked to report the verdict they would choose for that male.  The results showed that while males were generally less likely than females to find the male assailant guilty, they were also more influenced by attire and context.  Specifically, males were least likely to see the male as guilty when the female victim was dressed in provocative attire in the club setting.

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