The purpose of the present study is to examine the use of sexually aggressive tactics among perpetrators, as well as predictors of acceptance of sexually aggressive tactics. Participants included 297 male undergraduate students from a Midwestern university, who filled out instruments assessing for acceptance of sexually aggressive tactics, a history of sexual aggression, and other personality characteristics.
A history of sexual aggression was reported by 21% of the participants. An analysis of the acceptance of sexually aggressive tactics measure indicated the presence of two components: Overt and Covert Tactics. Further, a history of sexually aggressive behavior, sensation seeking, and adherence to traditional gender roles were found to predict acceptance of sexually aggressive tactics. Support for the acceptance of sexually aggressive tactics measure was found in both the successful principal components analysis, and the measure’s ability to be predicted by variables previously found to be related to sexual aggression.