In the study, 51 male and 49 female observers watched a videotape of a rape victim (an actress) during a simulated police interview. The ethnicity of the victim (white vs. black) and emotion displayed by the victim (sad vs. angry) were systematically manipulated. Observers' interpretations of what had happened were investigated by means of a questionnaire. The type of emotion displayed by the victim did not influence female observers' judgments, only male observers' judgments. Male observers found the angry victim less distressed and less reliable than the sad victim, suggesting that an angry victim might be treated with disbelief, little sympathy and less support by males than a sad victim. Social stereotypes operated less strongly in female observers. Men assessed rape victims more negatively than women, females were more sensitive to nonverbal behavior cues, and skin color did not have any influence on impression formation. Tables, notes, references