Sexually violent themes have become increasingly prevalent in both pornographic and popular literature over the last several years. Exposure to violent pornography has been associated with a number of rape-related attitudes and behaviors. Alcohol consumption has been implicated in the commission of rape, but very little research has addressed the relationship between alcohol consumption and responses to sexually violent materials. The only two studies that have examined this connection indicate that expectancies associated with alcohol consumption are responsible for increased arousal to and interest in deviant sexual material. However, a systematic examination of the interaction between alcohol and differing levels of violence portrayed in these materials has yet to be undertaken. Furthermore, the impact of these materials on women has also been neglected. Social influence theory may provide a valuable framework to examine these relationships. Alcohol may serve as a cue, or discriminative stimulus, to engage a set of norms associated with sexual responding that would otherwise be considered unacceptable. To study this proposition, four experiments are proposed to examine the interrelationships among the pharmacological versus expectancy effects of alcohol consumption, normative perceptions, and responses to sexually violent material in both men and women. The contribution of individual difference traits will also be examined.

Agency
National Institute of Health (NIH)
Institute
National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism (NIAAA)
Type
Research Project (R01)
Project #
5R01AA007271-03
Application #
2043774
Study Section
Clinical and Treatment Subcommittee (ALCP)
Project Start
1989-07-01
Project End
1993-06-30
Budget Start
1991-07-01
Budget End
1993-06-30
Support Year
3
Fiscal Year
1991
Total Cost
Indirect Cost
Name
University of Washington
Department
Psychology
Type
Schools of Medicine
DUNS #
135646524
City
Seattle
State
WA
Country
United States
Zip Code
98195