A Sociological, Offender-Based, Study of Rape

This study contributes to the etiological research on rape by expanding the range of predictor variables and by including comparable violent offender and non-offender populations. The study is based on interview data from 38 convicted rapists, 59 convicted nonsexually violent offenders, and 65 non-offenders matched on age, race, and neighborhood of residence during adolescence. Discriminant analysis is employed with these three populations and four sets of discriminating variables: (1) demographic and family background variables, (2) affective experiences, (3) school and dating experiences, and (4) legal and offense-related experiences. The results show that, in general, we are better able to discriminate between offenders and non-offenders than between rapists and other violent offenders. However, affective experiences, in particular a history of sexual abuse, clearly predict sexually violent behavior. The results are discussed in light of existing rape research and the more general predictive research on antisocial behavior.