Paper Title
Conquest by Force: A Narcissistic Reactance Theory of Rape and Sexual Coercion
Keywords
- Narcissism
- Reactance Theory
- Sexual Coercion
- Rape
- Sexual Violence
- Male Aggression
- Cognitive Distortions
- Inflated Entitlement
- Low Empathy
- Exploitative Behavior
- Sexual Refusal
- Psychological Theories
- Sexual Motivation
- Interpersonal Relations
- Social Psychology
- Self-Serving Bias
- BDSM
- Gagging
- Self-absorption
- Egotism
- Vanity
- Self-obsession
- Arrogance
- Hubris
- Conceit
- Sexual pressure
- Unwanted sexual advances
- Forced intimacy
- Sexual abuse of power
- Sexual exploitation
- Sexual intimidation
- Sexual assault
- Sexual abuse
- Gender-based violence
- Sexual harassment
- Sexual victimization
Article Type
Research Article
Journal
Research Impact Tools
Publication Info
Volume: 6 | Issue: 1 | Pages: 92-135
Published On
March, 2002
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Abstract
Men's efforts to force women to engage in unwanted sexual activity can be explained by a combination of reactance theory and narcissism. Reactance theory suggests that deprivation of specific sexual options will cause men to desire them more, to try to reclaim them by forcing sex and by aggressing against the woman who has refused them, and assorted findings support this analysis. Narcissism is proposed to moderate the link, especially because coercion is relatively rare in response to sexual refusals. Evidence about sexually coercive men supports the narcissism hypothesis, such as by showing self-serving cognitive distortions, an excessive concern with being admired, an inflated sense of entitlement, selectively low empathy, and a broadly exploitative approach to heterosexual relations.
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