Gender-role stereotypes and perceptions of heterosexual, gay and lesbian domestic violence

Although domestic violence occurs in all types of relationships, non-prototypical cases (e.g., gay male, lesbian, female-against-male) are often overlooked. We replicated & extended previous research demonstrating that perceptions of heterosexual & same-sex domestic violence are generally consistent with gender-role stereotypes. Male & female undergraduates read one of four domestic abuse cases varying by victim & perpetrator sex & sexual orientation. Victim sex, rather than sexual orientation, was the most potent predictor of responses, although male-against-female violence was considered the most serious & deserving of active intervention. Domestic violence perpetrated by men or against women was judged more serious than violence perpetrated by women or against men. Perceptions that male perpetrators were more capable of injuring victims, & female victims were more likely to suffer serious injury were consistent with gender-role stereotypes. Figures, References. Adapted from the source document.