Presenter(s)
Kylie Buck
Abstract
Increasing political polarization has left political parties at an impasse regarding having bipartisan conversation about pressing social issues including rape and domestic violence. The present study examined how different demographic factors influence perceptions of interpersonal violence. It was hypothesized that identification by political status, abuse type, and perpetrator would yield different results. Using an online survey, participants (N = 223, 81% female, 88% white, 48% republican, 35.4% freshman) were randomly assigned to 1 of 8 scenarios describing differing instances of interpersonal violence. Results from a three way between groups ANOVA indicated that republicans view domestic violence and rape as a myth more than democrats. Additionally, domestic violence is more often viewed as a myth when women are the perpetrator. Perceptions of interpersonal violence were not impacted by relationship type. These findings suggest that political identity powerfully influences perception of interpersonal violence and highlights the importance of acknowledging ideological differences in violence prevention education and policy.
College
College of Liberal Arts
Department
Psychology
Campus
Winona
First Advisor/Mentor
Tricia Karr
Location
Kryzsko Great River Ballroom, Winona, Minnesota; United States
Start Date
4-23-2026 2:00 PM
End Date
4-23-2026 3:00 PM
Presentation Type
Poster Session
Format of Presentation or Performance
In-Person
Session
2b=2pm-3pm
Poster Number
6
Gender of Perpetrator and Political Affiliation in Relation to Violence Myth Acceptance
Kryzsko Great River Ballroom, Winona, Minnesota; United States
Increasing political polarization has left political parties at an impasse regarding having bipartisan conversation about pressing social issues including rape and domestic violence. The present study examined how different demographic factors influence perceptions of interpersonal violence. It was hypothesized that identification by political status, abuse type, and perpetrator would yield different results. Using an online survey, participants (N = 223, 81% female, 88% white, 48% republican, 35.4% freshman) were randomly assigned to 1 of 8 scenarios describing differing instances of interpersonal violence. Results from a three way between groups ANOVA indicated that republicans view domestic violence and rape as a myth more than democrats. Additionally, domestic violence is more often viewed as a myth when women are the perpetrator. Perceptions of interpersonal violence were not impacted by relationship type. These findings suggest that political identity powerfully influences perception of interpersonal violence and highlights the importance of acknowledging ideological differences in violence prevention education and policy.
Comments
Not listed as presenters in program: Paige Christianson, Kaiden Barnes, and Kyra Nelson