Sexism and Feminist Conspiracy Beliefs: Hostile Sexism Moderates the Link Between Feminist Conspiracy Beliefs and Rape Myth Acceptance

Jolley, Daniel; Mari, Silvia; Schrader, Tanya; Cookson, Darel

Abstract

This research examined the effect of belief in feminist conspiracy theories and sexist ideology on endorsing rape myths. Study 1 (N = 201) uncovered that the relationship between feminist conspiracy beliefs and rape myth acceptance was conditional on higher levels of hostile sexism. Study 2 (N = 552) demonstrated that for those with higher hostile sexism, exposure to feminist conspiracy theories (vs control) increased feminist conspiracy beliefs, which were then associated with rape myths. The current research suggests that the link between feminist conspiracy beliefs and rape myths could result from such beliefs upholding a hostile sexist view of women.

Citation

Jolley, D., Mari, S., Schrader, T., & Cookson, D. (2024). Sexism and Feminist Conspiracy Beliefs: Hostile Sexism Moderates the Link Between Feminist Conspiracy Beliefs and Rape Myth Acceptance. Violence Against Women, https://doi.org/10.1177/10778012241234892

• Journal Article Type: Article
• Acceptance Date: Jan 4, 2024
• Online Publication Date: Mar 4, 2024
• Publication Date: Mar 4, 2024
• Deposit Date: Jan 4, 2024
• Publicly Available Date: Jan 5, 2024
• Journal: Violence Against Women
• Print ISSN: 1077-8012
• Electronic ISSN: 1552-8448
• Publisher: SAGE Publications
• Peer Reviewed: Peer Reviewed
• DOI: https://doi.org/10.1177/10778012241234892
• Keywords: hostile sexism, feminist conspiracy beliefs, prejudice, rape myth acceptance, sexist ideology
• Public URL: https://nottingham-repository.worktribe.com/output/29268969
• Publisher URL: https://journals.sagepub.com/doi/10.1177/10778012241234892