This research investigated possible effects of communicator gender on rape-supportive attitude change, as well as on quality ratings of the message and credibility ratings of the communication source, in response to a sexual violence prevention speech. In a preliminary session, participants were assessed on three rape-supportive attitudes: rape myth acceptance, hostile sexism, and benevolent sexism. One week later, participants were presented with a written sexual violence prevention message featuring either a male or female source, of either high or low status, in the byline. Among our main hypotheses, we expected more of a decrease in the three rape-supportive attitudes, as well as higher source-credibility ratings and speech-quality-ratings, when the source was identified as male, in particular, a high-status male. We also examined participant gender, and reported endorsement of rape-supportive attitudes at the outset, as possible moderator variables.

Overall, we found significant decreases in rape-supportive attitudes regardless of source gender. Furthermore, source-credibility ratings and speech-quality ratings were independent of the portrayed gender of the source. Thus, despite suggestions to the contrary, both men and women may be equally effective in changing rape-supportive attitudes among both male and female audiences.