Sex differences in levels of tolerance and attribution of blame for sexual harassment on a university campus

Abstract

Although the issue of sexual harassment on college campuses has been discussed in the literature for the last five years, little attention has been paid to sex differences in levels of tolerance and attribution of blame in harassment. The current survey, based on a random sample of faculty, students, and staff at a large southern university, details sex differences in definitions of harassment, in attitudes toward causes, in attitudes toward romantic relationships between faculty and students, and in attitudes toward university policy. The authors suggest that sex differences reflect differing perceptions by men and women of their own self-interests within the university, and the organizational environment. Attention is also directed to the explanatory power of attribution theory.