Date of Award
12-1-2025
Degree Name
Doctor of Philosophy
Department
Criminology and Criminal Justice
First Advisor
Pleggenkuhle, Breanne
Abstract
Rape myths are false beliefs that explain sexual violence, and uphold current beliefs on sexual violence (Payne, Lonsway, & Fitzgerald, 1999). These myths can be learned and reinforced through a variety of sources, including formal school-based sexual education programs, pornography consumption, and peers. Through two studies, sexual education and rape myth were examined. In the first study, an exploratory content analysis of state sexual education guidelines was completed to better understand what information and guidance is provided by states to those providing sexual education. In the second study, a sample of 420 U.S. adults completed a factorial survey experiment wherein they read and responded to two hypothetical scenarios, embedded with manipulated rape-myth-related factors, on a sexual interaction between a man and a woman at a house party. In all, these studies highlighted the variation in state sexual education policies, the ways in which personal attitudes were more predictive of blame than situational factors, and that the values incorporated into sexual education curricula may be more important than the content of these lessons. Notably, many state sexual education guidelines were removed, redirected, or changed following the publication of Project 2025 by the Heritage Foundation and the inauguration of President Donald Trump to his second term.
Access
This dissertation is Open Access and may be downloaded by anyone.