Due to time constraints and the fact that we are now within the last two weeks of regular curriculum, the following two sections appear electronically only, there will be no corresponding section in the written Journal. Nonetheless, I hope you enjoy the following sections!
This article lacks the usual pictures not because it is an aside, rather, I feel the topic is serious enough that the written word deserves your full attention here.
Defensive attribution, the tendency to blame victims for their misfortune, so that one feels less likely to be victimized in a similar manner.
Take a moment to read, reflect and think very carefully about that previous statement. What example comes to your mind immediately? If it was something other than rape please let me know in the comments below, but sadly this has become the sentiment surrounding the crime. How many times have you heard "She had it coming because she was dressed that way" "He shouldn't have dropped the soap (or been in prison in the first place)" Why is it that with the crime of rape it seems as though society places the blame all too often into the hands of the victimized. The logical fallacy that is defensive attribution falls apart so fast that I am surprised at its frequent use in todays modern and fairly well educated society. Almost no one would dare say a child that was the victim of crimes of pedophilia is at fault for "looking too young". So why does the blame shift when it comes to the pre-teen and adult crowds? Even statements such as "well the way she was dressed was too provocative, so she was asking for it." ...What then of European topless beaches? or African tribal culture? In these environments women walk around in their bare skin or with small fabric garments barely covering genetailia. Yet we don't perceive these women as "asking for it" or sexually provocative in the least. How does the difference in opinion from one group to the next occur?
I suggest that it's due to factors behind conformity and obedience thinking. The thought that "she was asking for it" has, unfortunately, become somewhat of a popular opinion. Many people then, are prone to jump to the same conclusions without thought because the only support they need for this hypothesis is that "it is the opinion of x,y, and z. therefore it must be true" rather than having to put their own thoughts and rationale behind this decision. Obedience also comes into play here. Not in a sense of legalities, but in a 'mob mentality' sense. Consider the gang rapes that occur all too often in middle eastern societies, In these scenarios, the assailants may be triggered by one initial actor but quickly the individuality in the mob is lost and everyone conforms to the action being performed. An individual's thoughts may be contrary to the ongoing event but due to what has become the 'social norm' of the mob, they will follow in suit, for acting contrary may have several undesirable consequences for the individual that chooses to do so. I am in no way defending the actions of the assailants, rather trying to form my own conclusions about what causes them to act in the way that they do in these situations.
