The Power of Stereotypes: A Thematic Analysis of How Social Attitudes and Beliefs Shape Perceived Stalking Threat

Abstract

Stalking is a behavior that negatively impacts individuals of all gender identities, and yet public threat perceptions often revolve around cisheteronormative relationship stereotypes. The present qualitative study aimed to explore how observers construct threat perceptions associated with stalking, focusing on perpetrator and victim gender (man, woman, nonbinary) and relationship type (stranger, ex-intimate). Undergraduate psychology students ( N = 243) completed an online vignette survey, answering four exploratory open-ended questions that detail concerns related to the perpetrator’s and victim’s behavior and their relationship. Reflexive thematic analysis generated four themes: Perceptions of Escalation and Dangerous Behavior; Normalization, Minimization, and Justification of Stalking Behavior; Relational Dynamics and Misconceptions of Consent ; and Victim Blame and Protection Strategies . Findings suggest that gendered stereotypes and victim-blaming narratives persist among young adults. Greater public awareness of the prevalence, nature, diversity, and harms associated with stalking may lead to better protection for gender diverse victims and ensure their experiences are recognized and sincerely appreciated in social, clinical, and legal contexts.