Still Stable After All These Years: Perceptions of Sexual Harassment in Academic Contexts

ABSTRACT

This research examined perceptions of sexual harassment in academic contexts using data sets collected in 1990 (Time 1) and 2000 (Time 2). We assessed the influence of two individual variables—gender and gender role—and one contextual variable—power of the harasser—on perceptions of harassment. When the harasser was a higher-power individual, participants perceived more vignettes as examples of sexual harassment, viewed female targets more positively, and evaluated male harassers more negatively. Contrary to prediction, participants viewed male harassers less negatively at Time 2 than at Time 1. Despite increased media attention and educational interventions, comparisons to the earlier findings highlight remarkable stability in perceptions of harassment over time.

Keywords:

• gender differences
• gender role
• power differences
• sexual harassment

Additional information

Notes on contributors

Krisanne Bursik

Krisanne Bursik is a Professor of psychology and Associate Dean of the College of Arts and Sciences at Suffolk University. Her research broadly examines the intersection of individual differences variables, including gender and gender role, and several developmental pathways, including moral development, identity development, and gender role development—all integral components of mature adult personality.

Julia Gefter

Julia Gefter is a PhD Student in clinical psychology at Suffolk University. This collaborative research was completed in partial fulfillment of her master's degree.