TY - JOUR
T1 - Studying sexual aggression
T2 - A review of the evolution and validity of laboratory paradigms
AU - Davis, Kelly Cue
AU - Parrott, Dominic J.
AU - George, William H.
AU - Tharp, Andra Teten
AU - Hall, Gordon C.Nagayama
AU - Stappenbeck, Cynthia A.
N1 - Publisher Copyright:
© 2014 American Psychological Association.
PY - 2014
Y1 - 2014
N2 - Objective: Researchers have endeavored for decades to develop and implement experimental assessments of sexual aggression and its precursors to capitalize on the many scientific advantages offered by laboratory experiments, such as rigorous control of key variables and identification of causal relationships. The purpose of this review is to provide an overview of and commentary on the evolution of these laboratory-based methods. Conclusions: To date, two primary types of sexual aggression laboratory studies have been developed: those that involve behavioral analogues of sexual aggression and those that assess postulated precursors to sexually aggressive behavior. Although the study of sexual aggression in the laboratory is fraught with methodological challenges, validity concerns, and ethical considerations, advances in the field have resulted in greater methodological rigor, more precise dependent measures, and improved experimental validity, reliability, and realism. Because highly effective sexual aggression prevention strategies remain elusive, continued laboratory-based investigation of sexual aggression coupled with translation of critical findings to the development and modification of sexual aggression prevention programs remains an important task for the field.
AB - Objective: Researchers have endeavored for decades to develop and implement experimental assessments of sexual aggression and its precursors to capitalize on the many scientific advantages offered by laboratory experiments, such as rigorous control of key variables and identification of causal relationships. The purpose of this review is to provide an overview of and commentary on the evolution of these laboratory-based methods. Conclusions: To date, two primary types of sexual aggression laboratory studies have been developed: those that involve behavioral analogues of sexual aggression and those that assess postulated precursors to sexually aggressive behavior. Although the study of sexual aggression in the laboratory is fraught with methodological challenges, validity concerns, and ethical considerations, advances in the field have resulted in greater methodological rigor, more precise dependent measures, and improved experimental validity, reliability, and realism. Because highly effective sexual aggression prevention strategies remain elusive, continued laboratory-based investigation of sexual aggression coupled with translation of critical findings to the development and modification of sexual aggression prevention programs remains an important task for the field.
KW - Behavioral analogues
KW - Laboratory paradigms
KW - Sexual aggression
KW - Sexual assault
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U2 - 10.1037/a0037662
DO - 10.1037/a0037662
M3 - Article
AN - SCOPUS:84925606246
SN - 2152-0828
VL - 4
SP - 462
EP - 476
JO - Psychology of Violence
JF - Psychology of Violence
IS - 4
ER -