The influence of perceived social norms on the relationship of perceptions of sexual intent and commitment of sexual aggression

This study experimentally investigates the influence of different norms regarding the acceptability of sexual coercion, over-perceptions of sexual intentions in casual interactions with women, as well as an interaction of these factors on self-reported likelihood to engage in sexual assault. Results of a logistic regression showed significantly increased odds of reporting likelihood to engage in sexual assault when male college students were exposed to rape-conducive normative messages and also perceived high sexual intentions in a woman. Implications and limitations of this research are discussed.