The role of life history strategy in the correspondence between being a victim and a perpetrator of sexual coercion

Abstract

The current investigation was undertaken to examine the possible role of life history (LH) strategy in the correspondence between being a victim of sexual coercion and being a perpetrator. Although victimhood was associated with LH strategies for males, and LH strategy was associated with perpetration for both sexes, mediation by LH strategy between victimhood and perpetrating was not supported. Support was found for life history strategy as a moderator, but only for females. Females with a fast life history strategy coupled with high levels of victimhood exhibited the highest levels of perpetration. The results were found while controlling for individual differences in age, aggression and self-control. While a correspondence between general (not sex specific) victimhood and perpetration was found, the relationship was not moderated by life history strategy. The role of LH strategy in accounting for individual difference in sexual coercion is discussed. It is speculated that greater plasticity in sexuality is a LH characteristic in females.