Research Seminar Series - Nothing but he said, she said: The impact of gender dyad and type of abuse on UAE students’ judgments of seriousness and blame

We are pleased to invite you to our Wednesday Research Seminar. It will be held on 04 March from 4pm, at Middlesex University Dubai in the Oasis Theatre, Block 16, Knowledge Park.

Wednesday Research Seminar Series was launched in 2008, and has featured more than 270 presentations to date. The seminars provide a forum for researchers to share their work. Presenters include faculty from Middlesex University Dubai and other universities in the United Arab Emirates, as well as researchers from other global institutions. Dr. Anthony Murphy will deliver seminar on:

“Nothing but he said, she said: The impact of gender dyad and type of abuse on UAE students’ judgments of seriousness and blame”

Anthony Murphy

Abstract

Background

In recent months, significant shifts in legislation and policy have taken place to recognise victim groups from a range of abuse types, moving UAE structures away from a domestic violence model, closer to international conventions relating to coercive control and abuse. During this period, there has been significant media coverage and recognition of males victims in the UAE. This study explores variations in perceptions of seriousness and blameworthiness across three different forms of coercive control (physical, psychological, and financial) in cases of male-on-female and female-on-male dyads.

Method

250 students (age 18-40) from a UK-based university in the UAE were recruited, using convenience sampling, to take part in this independent-groups study. Each participant experienced one of six vignettes depicting a hypothetical coercive control scenario, varied by male-female/female-male dyad and type of coercive control. Participants rated the perceived seriousness and humorousness of the incident and the blameworthiness of the actors involved.

Findings

Results demonstrated significant effects in the perceived seriousness, humorousness, victim responsibility, and perpetrator responsibility of cases based on male-on-female and female-on-male dyads of the actors involved, and variations in physical, psychological, and financial control. These effects also appeared to interact. Findings demonstrate that participant’s views of coercive control are significantly impacted by the gender dyads of those involved and the type of control exhibited. 

Biography

Dr Anthony Murphy is a Senior Lecturer in Psychology at Middlesex University Dubai. He developed an interest in forensic psychology during his undergraduate studies, and after completing an MSc in forensic psychology, he began working in medium and high secure forensic psychological care with high risk violent psychiatric offenders in the United Kingdom, along with several prisons. Anthony was offered a PhD scholarship with Middlesex University after developing a study to examine the experiences of parents who gain a diagnosis of Borderline Personality Disorder.

His recent research aims to use the tools of psychology to improve policing, investigation, and outcomes for victims, specifically in relation to crimes against the person, focusing on rape, violence, and domestic abuse.

We look forward to welcoming you at the seminar.