Similar Employment of Coercion Strategies by Men and Women: Links Between Conformity to Traditional Masculine Ideologies and Sexual Coercion Following Sexual Rejection.

Abstract

During hookups some people use coercive tactics to obtain sex from a reluctant partner. The current study explored whether individuals with greater conformity to traditional masculine ideologies (TMIs) are more willing to use coercive and coaxing tactics following sexual rejection than are individuals with less conformity to TMIs. German-speaking participants (N = 771; 50.5% men and 49.5% women; age M = 27.98, SD = 8.04), recruited through Prolific or university-wide mailing lists, were randomly assigned to read one of two hypothetical scenarios depicting a hookup leading to sexual rejection. One scenario included rejection when trying to initiate sexual activity. In the other scenario, rejection followed after some consensual sexual activity had taken place. Participants reported their propensity to use coercive and coaxing tactics. Results showed significant associations between conformity to TMIs and an increased propensity to use coercion and coaxing tactics. Additionally, sexual rejection after sexual activities leads to an increased propensity to use coaxing tactics. During hookups, men and women with greater conformity to TMIs related to sexual interactions, power dynamics and the endorsement of aggressive behaviors may perceive sexual rejection as a loss of control and try to regain dominance and power by using coercive and coaxing tactics.