Showing papers by "Neil M. Malamuth published in 1988"

A Multidimensional Approach to Sexual Aggression: Combining Measures of Past Behavior and Present Likelihood

Abstract: Researchers have recognized the inadequacy of studying the general topic of sexual aggression by relying exclusively on samples of rapists identified by the judicial system.’.’ Not only is it well known that a small percentage of rapes are reported to the but there are various sexually aggressive acts that do not necessarily meet the legal definition of rape or sexual assault. Acts reported to the police may be only the “tip of the iceberg” of sexual aggression. Researchers have therefore sought to obtain samples from the general population in addition to identified rapists. Two types of self-report measures have been used to study heterosexual sexual aggression in general population samples. In the first, men indicated whether they had committed various forms of sexual aggres~ion.~’ In the second, they reported the likelihood that they would engage in forced sex if they could be assured of not being identified or punished.*-” This latter measure appears to assess some aspect of the attraction or desire to commit sexual aggression (ifthere were no negative consequences to the aggressor). These two measures have at times been described as alternative approaches,2 and researchers have relied on one or the other. The present article contends that rather than being differing ways of assessing the same continuum, these two approaches represent different dimensions, and that combining them results in more comprehensive information than using either one alone. Theoretically, it may be expected that somewhat different information would be derived from the two variables of past sexual aggression and of desire to commit forced sex, as assessed by the likelihood of forcing sex measure. For the purposes of explication, consider crossing these two variables, with each having two levels, a low versus a high score, thereby yielding the following four cells: First, some men may not have engaged in any sexual aggression and may have no desire or attraction to do so. Second, some men may not have committed any sexual aggression, but may have some desire to do so if they could avoid punishment. Such desire may not have been expressed in actual behavior for various reasons. These could include fear of the consequences, the lack of opportunity to aggress, or having certain attributes or

Fantasies and Exposure to Sexually Explicit Magazines

Abstract: We assessed whether a relationship exists between the degree of men's exposure to Playboy and Penthouse magazines and the frequency of their sexual and hostile-aggressive fantasies. No significant relationships were found between frequency of readership of Playboy and either sexual or aggressive fantasies. This finding supported the contention by Playboy's publisher that consumers are not attracted to the magazine primarily for sexual fantasizing. Penthouse readership was best predicted by the interaction of sexual and hostile fantasies: For those with low-hostile fantasies, there was not a significant relationship between sexual fantasies and Penthouse exposure, whereas for those with high-hostile fantasies, there was a strong association between exposure to this magazine and sexual fantasizing (r = .51, p <.0001). These results did not change when statistical controls were used for possible confounding with other media and fantasies. Although these findings were largely predicted on the basis of an expr...

Research on "violent erotica": A reply.

Abstract: (1988). Research on “violent erotica”: A reply. The Journal of Sex Research: Vol. 24, No. 1, pp. 340-348.