Rape myth acceptance, male gender role norms, attitudes towards women, and psychopathic traits in a military sample

Abstract Rape myth acceptance (RMA) demonstrates association with psychopathic traits, traditional gender role norms, and negative attitudes towards women. However, these RMA correlates have rarely been studied in combination, or examined within military populations. The present study investigated RMA, psychopathic traits, attitudes towards women, and male gender role norms using a convenience sample of 85 active and veteran military personnel recruited through social media. As hypothesized, males and females with in the military did not differ in level of RMA. Results revealed significant associations between the Affective and Interpersonal facets of psychopathy and RMA. Hierarchical linear regression models indicated that traditional male norm ideology and Interpersonal psychopathic features significantly predicted RMA. Affective features to also trended in the prediction of RMA. Results suggest that Affective and Interpersonal traits of psychopathy are salient in account for RMA in a military sample.