Gender stereotypes, class, and race in attributions of blame for women's gender‐linked mistreatment

In two survey experiments, three types of gender-based mistreatment, social class and race the target, gender-linked stereotypes respectability (sexualization irresponsibility) were assessed in relation to victim blame attribution. U.S. participants (Study 1: N = 416; Study 2: 300) read a vignette about woman described as working- or middle-class, Black white, having experienced sexual assault, harassment, incivility workplace. Based on ambiguity intent perpetrator, we anticipated that would result more blame; this was confirmed. Additionally, both studies, perceived mediated relationship between blame. The working-class seen less respectable compared middle-class woman, associated with greater attribution for mistreatment. Results confirm importance attention research perceptions women exposed well interventions mitigate victim-blaming.