Alcohol Myopia, Objectification, and Sexual Assault

Integrating Alcohol Myopia and Objectification to Understand Sexual Assault

The present project integrates previous research on factors associated with alcohol-involved sexual assault, with research on how intoxication alters attention and social perceptions in ways that increase the risk of sexual aggression and victimization. Specifically, this project examines whether alcohol intoxication on the part of a male perpetrator impairs attentional capacity and leads to a narrowing of the perceptual field causing a dehumanizing perspective of women as sexual objects for men's pleasure rather than individuals with thoughts and feelings, thereby increasing the propensity for sexual aggression. The present research also examines whether women's responses to this sexual objectification from men interfere with risk perception in sexual situations, particularly when women are drinking, increasing the likelihood of sexual victimization.

These studies will provide a comprehensive test of our proposed model of alcohol-involved sexual assault that includes situation-specific mechanisms and key moderators of sexual violence. Specifically, hypotheses will be tested in the context of two carefully controlled laboratory studies. In Study 1, laboratory alcohol administration procedures will be used to manipulate intoxication (vs. placebo control) in men. Impaired attention and objectification will then be measured multi-modally including behavioral, self-report, and implicit measures. Finally, sexual aggression will be measured with a laboratory-based analogue of sexual assault. Study 2 will include women and follow the same alcohol administration procedures as Study 1. Additionally, mirroring men's objectification, objectifying gazes (vs. eye gazes) will also be manipulated. Impaired attention, self-objectification, and decreased sexual risk perceptions will then be assessed. Prior the laboratory visit, all participants will complete a battery of questionnaires to assess key moderators including a history of sexual assault perpetration and victimization, prior sexual objectification and self-objectification, as well as alcohol-related sex expectances and rape myth acceptance. The overall model will be analyzed within a conditional process model framework.

Inclusion Criteria:

• 21-30 years of age
• at least social drinkers
• single
• men attracted to women, women attracted to men

Exclusion Criteria:

• current/past alcohol dependence (as assessed by a score of 8 or higher on the Alcohol Dependence Scale), alcohol-related treatment, or hospitalization due to alcohol use
• any past serious head injuries (as indicated by HELPS Brain Injury Screening Tool)
• serious psychological symptoms (defined as past psychotic, paranoid, or bipolar disorders, or current major depression)
• abstinence from alcohol use
• a condition or medication use in which alcohol consumption is medically contraindicated
• any legal restriction against drinking (e.g., as condition of probation or parole)
• presence of a positive breath alcohol concentration (BAC) upon arrival to the laboratory
• if the participant is less than six feet tall and weighs over 250 pounds or is over six feet tall and weighs over 300 pounds
• if a female participant is pregnant