Alcohol Myopia, Objectification, and Sexual Assault
Condition: Alcoholic Intoxication
MeSH terms: Alcoholic Intoxication
Study type: Interventional

Summary: 
      The present project integrates previous research on factors associated with alcohol-involved
      sexual assault, with research on how intoxication alters attention and social perceptions in
      ways that increase the risk of sexual aggression and victimization. Specifically, this
      project examines whether alcohol intoxication on the part of a male perpetrator impairs
      attentional capacity and leads to a narrowing of the perceptual field causing a dehumanizing
      perspective of women as sexual objects for men's pleasure rather than individuals with
      thoughts and feelings, thereby increasing the propensity for sexual aggression. The present
      research also examines whether women's responses to this sexual objectification from men
      interfere with risk perception in sexual situations, particularly when women are drinking,
      increasing the likelihood of sexual victimization.
    

Detailed description: 
      These studies will provide a comprehensive test of our proposed model of alcohol-involved
      sexual assault that includes situation-specific mechanisms and key moderators of sexual
      violence. Specifically, hypotheses will be tested in the context of two carefully controlled
      laboratory studies. In Study 1, laboratory alcohol administration procedures will be used to
      manipulate intoxication (vs. placebo control) in men. Impaired attention and objectification
      will then be measured multi-modally including behavioral, self-report, and implicit measures.
      Finally, sexual aggression will be measured with a laboratory-based analogue of sexual
      assault. Study 2 will include women and follow the same alcohol administration procedures as
      Study 1. Additionally, mirroring men's objectification, objectifying gazes (vs. eye gazes)
      will also be manipulated. Impaired attention, self-objectification, and decreased sexual risk
      perceptions will then be assessed. Prior the laboratory visit, all participants will complete
      a battery of questionnaires to assess key moderators including a history of sexual assault
      perpetration and victimization, prior sexual objectification and self-objectification, as
      well as alcohol-related sex expectances and rape myth acceptance. The overall model will be
      analyzed within a conditional process model framework.
    

Intervention name(s): Alcohol intoxication; Objectification
Intervention type(s): Behavioral; Behavioral
Intervention description(s): Men and women assigned to moderate alcohol dose condition (target BAC .08%) or placebo control condition with NIAAA approved alcohol administration procedures; Women assigned to objectifying gazes condition or eye contact control condition
Allocation: Randomized
Intervention model: Parallel Assignment
Masking: Single (Participant)
Primary purpose: Basic Science
Keywords: Alcohol intoxication; Alcohol use; Drinking; Sexual assault; Sexual violence; Aggression; Attention; Victimization; Public health