Exploring the Underlying Constructs of Rape Cognition Scales and Their Relationships with Sexual Aggression

Abstract

This study attempted to replicate and extend past research by examining whether the Rape Myth Acceptance Scale, RAPE Scale, and Illinois Rape Myth Acceptance are assessing the same general construct or multiple distinct constructs by entering all items into one exploratory factor analysis (EFA). Complete scores on all three measures from 191 men from the community were entered into the EFA, which resulted in one interpretable factor, suggesting that these measures were assessing the same general construct of rape cognition. The factor was also significantly correlated with self-reported measures of past and future likelihood of sexual aggression (i.e., Sexual Experiences Survey – Tactics Version – Revised and the Proclivity – Sexual Experiences Survey – Tactics Version – Revised). This suggests that the general construct assessed by measures of rape cognition is related to sexually aggressive behaviours. Possible explanations for the current findings are discussed.