PHYSICAL SIZE STEREOTYPING AS A MEDIATOR OF ATTRIBUTIONS OF RESPONSIBILITY IN AN ALLEGED DATE-RAPE SITUATION

This research focuses on male and female observers' attributions of re sponsibility to a female accuser and a male accused of rape. Observers read 1 of 2 scenarios in which the accuser was either smaller or larg er than the accused and then made judgments concerning each person's r esponsibility for what happened. The data indicated that the larger ac cuser was considered more responsible than the smaller accuser and the larger accused was perceived to be more responsible than the smaller accused. Females attributed more responsibility and had less sympathy, respect, and liking for the accused, whereas males attributed more re sponsibility and reported more negative attitudes toward the accuser. The results are discussed in terms of their implications for legal and health-care professionals.