Running Head: STIGMATIZATION OF PEDOPHILIA IN THE NEWS MEDIA Pedophilia in the News Media: The Influence of the News Media on the Stigmatization of Pedophiles Jessie van Sambeek Snr. 1274835 Student University College Tilburg Supervisor: dr. E.A.A. Dreezens Second assessor: prof. dr. A. van Lenning 2018 STIGMATIZATION OF PEDOPHILIA IN THE NEWS MEDIA STIGMATIZATION OF PEDOPHILIA IN THE NEWS MEDIA Abstract This study examines the influence of the news media portrayal of pedophiles on the stigmatization of non-offending pedophiles. Additionally, it investigates whether stigmatizing attitudes can be decreased by presenting non-stigmatizing information on pedophilia in the news media. The participants of this study were either exposed to a stigmatizing news media article, or a non- stigmatizing news media article on pedophilia, after which their level of stigmatization towards pedophiles was assessed with the use of a questionnaire. The results of the linear regression indicated that total stigmatization towards pedophiles was dependent on the news media portrayal of pedophiles. The current portrayal of pedophiles in the news media showed to contribute to stigmatizing attitudes towards non-offending pedophiles, while the exposure to non-stigmatizing news media information was found to decrease stigmatization towards pedophiles. It is important to investigate the role of the news media concerning the stigmatization of non-offending pedophiles, in order to be able to reduce social isolation of pedophiles, improve their well-being, and decrease offending risks. Keywords: Stigmatization, Pedophilia, News Media, Non-offending pedophiles STIGMATIZATION OF PEDOPHILIA IN THE NEWS MEDIA Table of Contents Chapter 1: Introduction .............................................................................................................................. 1 1.1 Pedophile or Pedosexual ..................................................................................................................... 1 1.2 The Stories of Pedophiles ................................................................................................................... 2 1.3 Stigmatization of Pedophiles .............................................................................................................. 2 1.4 News Media and Stigmatization ......................................................................................................... 3 1.5 Research Question .............................................................................................................................. 4 1.6 Conceptual Model ............................................................................................................................... 4 1.7 Academic Relevance ........................................................................................................................... 4 Chapter 2: Theory ....................................................................................................................................... 6 2.1 Pedophilia ........................................................................................................................................... 6 2.1.1 Inborn or Learned? ...................................................................................................................... 6 2.1.2 Beyond Sexual Attraction ............................................................................................................. 7 2.1.3 Social Support .............................................................................................................................. 7 2.1.4 Offending Pedophiles (OP) .......................................................................................................... 7 2.1.5 Non-Offending Pedophiles (NOP) ............................................................................................... 8 2.2 Stigmatization ..................................................................................................................................... 9 2.2.1 Definition ..................................................................................................................................... 9 2.2.2 Ingroup and Outgroup ................................................................................................................. 9 2.2.3 Social Contact ............................................................................................................................ 10 2.2.4 Negative Consequences of Stigmatization ................................................................................. 10 2.2.5 Controllability of Stigmatized Features ..................................................................................... 12 2.2.6 Stigmatization of Pedophiles ...................................................................................................... 12 2.3 The News Media ............................................................................................................................... 15 2.3.1. Relevance of the News Media ................................................................................................... 15 2.3.2 Stigma in the News Media .......................................................................................................... 16 2.3.3 Changeability of Opinions ......................................................................................................... 17 2.3.4. Pedophiles in the News Media .................................................................................................. 18 Chapter 3: Method .................................................................................................................................... 19 3.1 Participants ........................................................................................................................................ 19 3.2 Procedure .......................................................................................................................................... 19 3.3 Measures ........................................................................................................................................... 20 STIGMATIZATION OF PEDOPHILIA IN THE NEWS MEDIA 3.3.1 Controllability ............................................................................................................................ 20 3.3.2 Dangerousness ........................................................................................................................... 20 3.3.3 Sexual Behavior ......................................................................................................................... 21 3.3.4 Affective Reactions ..................................................................................................................... 21 3.3.5 Social Distance .......................................................................................................................... 21 3.3.6 Changeability of Opinion ........................................................................................................... 22 3.3.7 Overall Stigmatization ............................................................................................................... 22 Chapter 4: Results .................................................................................................................................... 23 4.1 Descriptives....................................................................................................................................... 23 4.2 Factor Analysis ................................................................................................................................. 25 4.3 Reliability .......................................................................................................................................... 25 4.4 Regressions ....................................................................................................................................... 26 Chapter 5: Discussion and Conclusion .................................................................................................. 29 5.1 Discussion ......................................................................................................................................... 29 5.1.1 Controllability ............................................................................................................................ 29 5.1.2 Dangerousness ........................................................................................................................... 30 5.1.3 Sexual Behavior ......................................................................................................................... 31 5.1.4 Affective Reactions ..................................................................................................................... 31 5.1.5 Social Distance .......................................................................................................................... 32 5.1.6 Stigmatization Total ................................................................................................................... 34 5.1.7 Demographics ............................................................................................................................ 35 5.2 Limitations & Recommendations ..................................................................................................... 36 5.3 Conclusion