TY  - JOUR
PY  - 2004//
TI  - Further evidence for a cognitive component of rape
JO  - Aggression and violent behavior
A1  - Ryan, Kathryn M.
SP  - 579
EP  - 604
VL  - 9
IS  - 6
N2  - In this literature review, the proposition that cognitions play a crucial role in men's desire to rape is presented. A variety of research on rapists will be reviewed, including research on date rapists, marital rapists, and convicted offenders. The main thesis is that men's cognitions foster rape. These cognitions involve rapists' attitudes and beliefs about sex (e.g., rape-supportive beliefs, sexual preoccupation, and hypersexuality), their sexual scripts (including fantasies and sexual plans), and their beliefs about appropriate masculinity (i.e., hypermasculinity). This model proposes that acquaintance and incarcerated rapists are linked by a common belief system. These cognitions provide justifications of rape for the potential rapist by promoting sexual narcissism and by suggesting women's complicity in rape. They give rapists a sense of entitlement and aid in the planning and preparation for rape. They also encourage rapists' denial and minimization of rape. Thus, it is what some men think that enables them to rape.In the current literature review, most of the research on date or acquaintance rape comes from surveys of college students. Most of the research on marital rape comes from interviews with victims. Moreover, most of the research on incarcerated offenders comes from research on hospitalized or imprisoned populations. There are also studies on gang rape, serial rapists, rapist-murderers, and homosexual rape, but these are less common and therefore less frequently included in the review. Also rare is research on female rapists, which will not be included in the review. Thus, the vast majority of research reviewed in the current article is on college students and convicted offenders. It is the contention of this article that these rapists have much in common regarding their beliefs about sex, rape, and masculinity.<p />
LA  - en
SN  - 1359-1789
UR  - http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.avb.2003.05.001
ID  - ref1
ER  -