CONSTRUCT-VALIDITY AND TEST-RETEST RELIABILITY OF A DATE RAPE DECISION-LATENCY MEASURE

In two studies, the construct (convergent and discriminant) validity a nd test-retest reliability of a date rape decision-latency measure was examined. In Study 1, 174 college men completed measures related to s exual aggression and listened to an audiotaped simulation of a date ra pe, during which cues of nonconsent and force gradually escalated over time. Participants were instructed to respond, by pressing a button w hich recorded the latency of their decisions in seconds, if and when t hey believed the man depicted in the scenario should stop his sexual a dvances. Results demonstrated positive associations between prolonged decision latencies and sexually aggressive behavior calloused sexual b eliefs, acceptance of interpersonal violence, and sexual promiscuity. In Study 2, initial results were cross-validated in a sample of 102 co llege men, and discriminant validity was established as decision laten cies were unassociated with measures of social desirability, alcohol c onsumption and drug use. Test-retest reliability assessed over a 2-wee k interval was .87.