Inhibition and disinhibition of male aggression against females: A personality moderator approach

Three experiments examined the role of individual differences in combinatio n with contextual factors hypothesized to moderate the level of hostility t oward females evident in mate participants' responses. In Study 1, we manip ulated survey context and examined the influence of participants' levels of rape myth acceptance (RMA) on self-reported rape likelihood. In Study 2, w e examined the interactive role of target gender and participants' levels o f sex guilt (SG) on aggression toward the target after exposure to an eroti c film. Study 3 results suggested that high SG males have particularly nega tive responses to women (but not men) who enjoy erotic presentations, consi stent with a "Jack-the-Ripper" interpretation of the Study 2 findings.