Graduate Program

College Student Affairs

Degree Name

Master of Science (MS)

Semester of Degree Completion

2013

Thesis Director

Dianne Timm

Thesis Committee Member

Catherine L. Polydore

Thesis Committee Member

Charles G. Eberly

Abstract

This study analyzes sexual aggression according to hyper-gender roles and fraternity/sorority membership at a midsize, midwestern university. The question examined through the research was whether hyper-gender roles affect an individual's sexual experience and whether fraternity and sorority communities are more likely to endorse hyper-gender roles. Secondly, it researched the risk factors behind fraternity and sorority groups through membership and traditions concerning these groups such as hypermasculinity male bonding and desensitization of sorority women. Hypermasculinity, hyperfemininity, and sexual aggression were collected using Koss and Gidycz (1985) Sexual Experience Survey, Mosher and Sirkin (1984) Hypermasculinity Inventory and Murne and Byrne (1991) Hyperfemininity Scale.

Significant differences were found regarding measures of hyper-gender roles and fraternity and sorority members in comparison to non-members. Secondly, this study found subtle examples of sexual aggression to be more prevalent on campus verses physical, concrete examples. The findings in this research assessed the campus community and environment, which allowed for future recommendations for students groups.

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