BLAME OF VICTIM AND PERPETRATOR IN RAPE VERSUS THEFT

Variables that may affect attribution of responsibility and blame were explored to assess whether societal stereotypes about rape victims st ill exist among students in Alaska. In ambiguous crime situations, mor e blame was attributed to victims and less responsibility to perpetrat ors if the subjects had traditional views about women's roles. The vic tims were rated as being more responsible for a theft than for a rape, but the perpetrators were rated as being more responsible for a rape than for a theft. Overall, type of crime affected social judgments. At titudes toward women affected the attribution of blame, but not fault, in ambiguous crime situations.