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Documents |
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| NCJ Number:
|
NCJ 075169
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| Title:
|
Self-blame in Rape Victims - A Control-maintenance Strategy
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| Author(s):
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R Janoff-Bulman
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| Sale:
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Eric Document Reproduction Service
P. O. Box 190
Arlington, VA 22210
United States |
| Publication Date:
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1978 |
| Pages:
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16 |
| Type:
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Studies/research reports |
| Origin:
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United States |
| Language:
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English |
| Annotation:
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Results and implications are reported from a survey of rape crisis centers regarding the extent and nature of self-blame among rape victims. |
| Abstract:
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Characterological and behavioral self-blame are distinct types of self-blame. Each has different implications for personal adjustment. Characterological self-blame involves a person's demeaning his/her personality traits such that vulnerability and a sense of powerlessness over life events are nurtured. Behavioral self-blame focuses on particular situational behaviors; it functions as a critique for improving behavior over which one has control. These two types of self-blame can be found in rape victims. Characterological self-blame would involve the victim's blaming herself for being passive, weak, and naive. Behavioral blame would include the victim blaming herself for behaviors perceived as placing herself in vulnerable situation, such as hitchhiking, walking alone in a dark area, or letting a stranger in the house. Behavioral self-blame focuses on behaviors that the victim can change in the future to control risks. In reports from 38 rape crisis centers in 24 States and the District of Columbia, self-blame was attributed to about 74 percent of victim clients. Of those who blamed themselves, behavioral self-blame was reported as considerably more common than characterological self-blame. Behavioral self-blame should be viewed as a constructive response to the rape crisis, since it implies that the victim retains control over behaviors that affect life risks. This is particularly important in the case of rape, since the event itself would tend to stimulate feelings of powerlessness and vulnerability in the victim. Twenty-seven references are provided. |
| Index Term(s):
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Rape ; Surveys/ ; Victimology ; Behavioral science research/ ; Self concept |
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To cite this abstract, use the following link:
http://www.ncjrs.gov/App/Publications/abstract.aspx?ID=75169
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