Influence of Exposure to Sexually-Violent Rap Lyrics on Acceptance of Violence towards Women

This study examined the mediating effect of hostility towards women on the relationship between exposure to misogynistic rap music and acceptance of violence towards women. Additionally, the impact of male hostility towards women on the relationship between consuming rap music and acceptance of rape myths and general attitudes towards violence were also examined. Participants for this study were 87 high and low-hostile college males between the ages of 18 and 25, who were randomly assigned to one of three exposure conditions (sexually-violent/degrading condition, generally violent condition and a non-violent/ control condition). Results indicated that men exposed to misogynistic rap music endorsed significantly greater acceptance of violence towards women than those in the non-violent/control condition did. Also, men with a high level of hostility towards women endorsed significantly greater acceptance of violence towards women, a significantly greater acceptance of rape myths and endorsed significantly more positive attitudes towards violence than low hostile men. Although no interaction effects were found between music condition and hostility level, this study provides empirical evidence of the potential deleterious influence of exposure to misogynistic rap music lyrics on men's acceptance of violence towards women.