title: Investigating the Victim Pseudomaturity Effect: How a Victim's Chronological Age and Dress Style Influences Attributions in a Depicted Case of Child Sexual Assault.
abstract: Three-hundred and seven members of the UK public read a hypothetical child sexual abuse case in which the victim's chronological age (12 versus 15 years old) and dress style (sexualized versus nonsexualized) were experimentally manipulated before completing 22 assault severity and blame attribution items. It was predicted that the 15-year-old and the sexually dressed victim would be blamed more for her own abuse. In addition, males were expected to be more blaming generally, but especially of the older and/or sexually dressed victim. Results were generally in line with predictions, highlighting the role seemingly controllable victim characteristics play in blaming child sexual abuse victims. Findings are discussed in relation to defensive attributions, gender stereotyping and the newly suggested victim pseudomaturity effect. Criminal justice, victim welfare, and rape myth implications together with methodological issues and ideas for future research work are also considered.
authors: a Department of Psychology, University of Winchester, Sparkford Road, Winchester, Hampshire, United Kingdom and Department of Psychology, Goldsmiths College, University of London , London , United Kingdom.
authors: Paul
authors: P
authors: Rogers
authors: b Department of Psychology, University of Bolton , Bolton , United Kingdom.
authors: Michelle
authors: M
authors: Lowe
authors: c Sowerby Bridge Neighborhood Policing Team, West Yorkshire Police , Wakefield , United Kingdom.
authors: Katie
authors: K
authors: Reddington
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000367:Age Factors; D002648:Child; D002650:Child Abuse, Sexual / Q000523:psychology*; D019548:Crime Victims / Q000523:psychology*; D003416:Criminal Law; D005260:Female; D005783:Gender Identity; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D012737:Sex Factors; D012725:Sexual Behavior / Q000523:psychology*; D012938:Social Perception; D013240:Stereotyping
keywords: Age; blame; child sex abuse; dress; gender; maturity