THE IMPACT OF HYPERMASCULINITY ON UNDERGRADUATE MEN’S PERCEPTIONS OF SEXUAL ASSAULT AND CONSENT

Abstract

In the U.S., approximately 1 out of every 5 women reported a completed or attempted sexual assault in their lifetime, with women ages 18-24 being at significantly higher risk for assault. While sexual assault affects all genders, the majority of sexual assaults on campuses involve men assaulting women. Using a convenience sample of undergraduate men (n=59), this study investigated how hypermasculinity affects undergraduate male’s perceptions of sexual assault, consent, hook-up culture, and rape myth acceptance (RMA) using six validated inventories. Hypermasculinity was significantly associated with RMA (p = .001), and sexual consent attitudes and behaviors, such as a lack of perceived behavioral control (p= .004) and positive attitudes toward consent (p= .001). A significant relationship between hypermasculinity and motivations for participation in hook-up culture was also detected. These findings can inform universities how to utilize their limited resources to provide education to improve the prevalence of sexual assault.