ACCEPTANCE AND EXPECTATION OF SEXUAL AGGRESSION IN COLLEGE-STUDENTS

This study examines college students' acceptance and expectations of s exual aggression in common dating situations. Five hundred and forty-s ix college students completed a measure of rape acceptance beliefs to explore the ''campus climate'' regarding sexual assault. Results sugge st that consensus on definitions of unacceptable behavior in dating si tuations is emerging: young college men and women overwhelmingly rejec ted the use of violent and coercive behavior. A surprisingly high numb er, however, expected this type of behavior in a variety of situations , for example, on dates involving the use of drugs or alcohol. Women's expectations of sexual aggression generally surpassed men's. Yet, in several situations, participants, regardless of their gender, expected the use of verbal threats of harm in order to obtain intercourse. Stu dents expected tile use of force to obtain sexual intercourse the leas t. Results are discussed in relation to the reporting behavior of sexu al assault victims and the development of primary prevention technique s.