The recent #MeToo movement highlighted how pervasive male-on-female sexual assault has been in our society; specifically, that a large majority of women in particular have experienced qualifying events in the previous 2 decades (Bongiorno, Langbroek, Bain, Ting, & Ryan, 2020). One common theme emerging from this movement is women's reluctance to report sexual assault, specifically based on the (also common) victim-blaming often encountered when they do, especially from men. The current study explores factors (sexual preference of victim (heterosexual-identifying, non-heterosexual-identifying) and gender of rater (self-identifying as male, self-identifying as female)) involved in creation of empathy gaps around sexual assault events. University student participants (50, 18-22-year-old volunteers) read vignettes describing the scenario surrounding a male student’s assault on a female student, varying only on the victim’s identified sexual preference. Data has not yet been analyzed, but it is expected that assaults on heterosexual-identifying and non-heterosexual-identifying victims will elicit different levels of empathy from both male and female raters, possibly displaying an interaction between the two variables. Results will be discussed as a function of victim experiences of perceived blame, guilt, and isolation following sexual assault.

UNG Annual Research Conference 2022

39. Sexual preference, gender, and empathy following sexual assault

The current study was designed to explore the effect of different types of popular video games on participant’s reported anxiety levels, physiological symptoms of anxiety, hormonal fluctuations, and ratings of violence for recent events. Over 4 weeks, participants engaged in video game play on several occasions. On one occasion, each participant played a violent non-competitive video game (as indicated by the game’s rating); on another, they played a non-violent competitive game; on another, a violent competitive game; on the final day, a control-based video game (non-violent, non-competitive). A saliva sample was collected each day following play and was analyzed for Testosterone (potential rise in response to competition). Participants were also given 3 news stories (war story, urban life violence story (muggings, shootings), school violence) to read each day covering recent events. Participants rated the news stories for level of perceived violence to test for potential desensitization effects of each type of video game. Participants provided a baseline blood pressure and heart rate measurement before play. Following play, their BR and HR were taken again, and they completed a paper anxiety scale, news stories, and GRE items. It was expected that the competitive video games would increase Testosterone levels in participants. It is expected that violent video games would increase BP, HR, and anxiety scale scores. It also was expected that violent video games would lead to lower ratings of violence for the news stories, but that competitive game play will not have this effect.

UNG Annual Research Conference 2014

Testosterone and Video Games

Throughout modern history, women have been presented with images of a hyper-sexualized and objectified female in media. Role models for females are predominantly focused on sex appeal (Marilyn Monroe,Nikki Minaj). The tremendous recent expansion of media and technology has increased the amount, extent, and frequency of this objectification. As provocative and violent images become normalized, it is important to examine the effect on men and women.
Fischer&Greitemeyer(2006) found that after listening to music with misogynistic lyrics, males behaved more aggressively toward a female, but not a male, confederate. Armstrong(2001) concluded women have long been presented in an inferior manner in the music industry, and that there is a need for this to be eradicated. Eradication cannot occur until the problem is recognized in its entirety. Specific genres of music have a reputation for objectifying women(rap&hip-hop), but this trend occurs in most genres: many perpetuate objectification of women on a continuum, from hyper-sexualizing women and relationships with women to desensitization of sexual assault and violence.
In this study, a variety of music genres as well as actual lyrics were rated for objectification and sexual violence. Responses were surprising:many rated lyrics as significantly objectifying and violent, even though they indicated the relevant genre was free from either or both. Participants seemed to most commonly associate rap with objectification/violence. Results are discussed in terms of societal desensitization to the objectification of women.

Sexual Violence and Objectification in Music by Genre

Social scientists have long studied the effects of media exposure on the psychology of females: the portrayal of women in visual media has long been suspected of being psychologically damaging to both female and male viewers. Such exposure unconsciously provides the viewer with ideals for women’s behavior and appearance. Unfortunately, these ideals are often greatly exaggerated, incorrect, or unattainable.
Research has linked exposure to such media to women’s lowered body satisfaction(Botta,2003), disordered eating (Becker,2004;Hawkins,Richards,Granley,&Stein,2004), and anxiety(Hallimer&Dittmar,2004; Grabe,Ward,&Hyde,2008). In this study, the effect of exposure to examples of ideal beauty as presented in childhood cartons on viewers’ perceptions was explored. Elementary-school-age girls(4-10) were exposed to either a cartoon montage including female images(e.g.,Cinderella) or a control video. Participants were then presented with 6 dolls arranged by BMI from healthy to clinically underweight. Participants were asked, in the guise of a game, to choose which doll looked most like themselves. They were also asked to choose which doll looked most like a princess. Actual BMI information was calculated for each participant. There was a significant difference between the BMI participants from each group chose to represent themselves. There was also a significant difference between the BMI participants from each group chose to represent a princess. Results are discussed in terms of effects across age groups; specifically, one must take into account the very young age at which most young girls are exposed to these images.

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39. Sexual preference, gender, and empathy following sexual assault

Testosterone and Video Games

Sexual Violence and Objectification in Music by Genre

The effect of popular media on the body image of elementary school-aged girls