The participants rated their reactions to one of two hypothetical rape scenarios that were exactly the same in form and content except for the identification of the man as the woman's husband or as a stranger. Factor analysis of the questions used to assess perceptions revealed one strong factor that was labeled rape-supportive beliefs. Consistent with previous research on date rape, individuals were significantly more likely to minimize the seriousness of rape perpetrated by a husband than rape perpetrated by a stranger. Female participants generally considered rape to be a more serious event than did the male participants. However, an unexpected gender-by-relationship interaction occurred on two of the rape-supportive questions. Some of the data suggested that sex role expectations influence the perceptions of marital rape. Figure, table, and 27 references (Author abstract modified)