Gender, Emotion, and Aggression

• Men and women experience different emotions based stereotypes and evidence

Gender and Emotion Stereotypes

• There are gender similarities in emotional experiences based on reports and observations
• Gender differences are apparent in the emotional expressions of men and women
• An emotional double-standard and display rules exist
• Feminine and masculine emotions differ, and vary by culture

Aggression and Gender

• Men are innately aggressive, while women are nurturing and incapable of aggression, is a stereotype
• Aggression is associated with anger and hostility
• Aggression is strongly associated with western masculinity
• Social norms and gender roles influence the perception about the prominence or absence of aggression in males and females

Aggression and Evolution

• Is male aggression evolutionarily advantageous?
• There are arguments for this theory
• There are arguments against this theory
• Female aggression also exists

Aggression and Life Span

• The prefrontal cortex regulates emotional expression, (including aggression), and develops throughout childhood and adolescence
• Puberty causes spikes in testosterone
• Cultural variables are parenting style and exposure to aggression
• Adulthood develops differences in aggression

Violence Perpetrator Stereotypes

• Men are the most common perpetrators of violent crimes, whereas women are often seen as the common victims

Perpetuation

• Stereotypes perpetuate expectations, which perpetuate perceptions, which perpetuate stereotypes in a cycle
• Men are the most common perpatrators of violent crime and sexual crime
• Women most commonly commit crime in response to victimization

Victimization

• Men (cis) are the most common victims of violent crime
• Women (cis) are the most common victims of sexual crime
• Transgender people are at high risk for violent and sexual victimization

Men as Perpetrators

• Men are most common perpetrators of crime because of toxic masculinity and or aggrieved entitlement
• Healthy masculinity looks very different

Sexual Assault Perpetrator Stereotypes

• Sexual assault is committed by strangers, in unsafe locations - is a stereotype
• Sexual assault, including rape, is most commonly perpetrated by someone known to the victim, in a place perceived as safe and familiar
• Trauma is magnified by the acceptance of rape myths
• Men are the most common perpetrators
• Cisgender women and transgender men and women are the most common victims

Conditions that Increase Likelihood of Sexual Assault

• Alcohol consumption is the most common behavioral correlate
• Alcohol myopia theory involves cognitive effects and resulting misperceptions and behaviors
• Rape culture normalizes violence, sexual aggression, and rape
• The characteristics of rape culture are normalizing misogyny, violent masculinity, and perpetuating rape myths
• Responses to sexual assault often mitigate the role of the perpetrator and focus responsibility on the victim

Persistence of Rape Culture

• Rape culture persists by maintaining heteronormative patriarchal dominance, which priviledges heterosexual men and limits women's sexual and personal agency
• Rape culture is supported by a sexual double standard, a heterosexual script, and cultural ignorance.

Sexual Assault Prevention

• Bystander intervention should recognize warning signs and intervene
• Challenging rape culture involves rejecting messages that normalize sexual aggression and interpersonal violence
• Replace rape culture with a culture of consent