Facts vs. Feelings: An Investigation of Informational and Empathy-Based Interventions on Rape Myth Acceptance in College Students

Abstract

This study aimed to assess the effectiveness of two short video approaches on decreasing rape myth acceptance (RMA) in a sample of college students. One video was informational, providing facts about sexual assault, whereas the other took an empathy-based approach, exposing participants to a victim statement and damaging effects of rape myths. Participant gender, trait empathy, and participant sexism (both benevolent and hostile) were assessed as moderators in the relationship between video condition and RMA. State empathy was assessed as a mediator in the relationship between video condition and RMA and participant gender and participant sexism were assessed as moderators on the mediating role of state empathy. In line with previous findings, men scored significantly higher in RMA than women. No significant effects were found for either intervention. No significant moderators or mediators were discovered, suggesting that further research is needed to determine effective and accessible interventions for RMA.