Definition, Communication, and Interpretation of Sexual Consent

This chapter reviews the law and psychology of sexual consent communication. We first review state and federal statutes and campus policies defining consent. We then review research literature addressing general issues regarding the manner in which sexual consent and nonconsent tend to be conveyed and interpreted in potentially sexual interactions, and discuss factors that can promote miscommunication. Next, we review research concerning the question of whether men interpret women’s behaviors to indicate greater interest than women themselves intend (i.e., the question of the “overperception” bias). Finally, we review evidence regarding how specific female behaviors are interpreted by men, women judging other women and women reporting on the meaning of their own behaviors: in the process revisiting the question of the overperception bias for these behaviors and for behavioral categories such as alcohol use, dress, preliminary sexual behaviors, and others.

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Notes

Cal. Penal Code § 261.6; Colo. Rev. Stat. § 18-3-401; Fla. Stat. § 794.011; 720 Ill. Comp. Stat. 5/11-1.70; Minn. Stat. § 609.341; Mont. Code Ann. § 45-5-501; Vt. Stat. Ann. tit. 13, § 3251; Wash. Rev. Code § 9A.44.010; Wis. Stat. § 940.225.

Ala. Code § 13A-6-70; Alaska Stat. § 11.41.470; Ariz. Rev. Stat. § 13-1401; Del. Code Ann. tit. 11, § 761; Ky. Rev. Stat. Ann. § 510.020; La. Stat. Ann. § 14:42; Neb. Rev. Stat. § 28-318; N.Y. Penal Law § 130.05; Tex. Penal Code Ann. § 22.011; Utah Code Ann. § 76-5-406; W. Va. Code § 61-8B-2.

Ark. Code Ann. § 5-14-103; Ark. Code Ann. § 5-14-125; Conn. Gen. Stat. § 53a-70; Conn. Gen. Stat. § 53a-71; Ga. Code Ann. § 16-6-1; Haw. Rev. Stat. § 707-730; Idaho Code § 18-6101; Ind. Code § 35-42-4-1; Iowa Code § 709.1; Iowa Code § 709.5; Kan. Stat. Ann. § 21-5503; Me. Stat. tit. 17-A, § 253; Md. Code Ann., Crim. Law § 3-303; Md. Code Ann., Crim. Law § 3-304; Mass. Gen. Laws Ann. ch. 265, § 22; Mich. Comp. Laws § 750.520b; Miss. Code Ann. § 97-3-95; Mo. Rev. Stat. § 566.030; Nev. Rev. Stat. § 200.366; N.H. Rev. Stat. Ann § 632-A:2; N.J. Stat. Ann. § 2C:14-2; N.M. Stat. Ann. § 30-9-11; N.C. Gen. Stat. § 14-27.21; N.C. Gen. Stat. § 14-27.22; N.D. Cent. Code § 12.1-20-03; Ohio Rev. Code Ann. § 2907.02; Okla. Stat. tit. 21, § 1111; Or. Rev. Stat. § 163.375; 18 Pa. Cons. Stat. § 3121; 11 R.I. Gen. Laws § 11-37-2; S.C. Code Ann. § 16-3-652; S.D. Codified Laws § 22-22-1; Tenn. Code Ann. § 39-13-503; Va. Code Ann. § 18.2-61; Wyo. Stat. Ann. § 6-2-302.

Minn. Stat. § 609.341; Mont. Code Ann. § 45-5-501; Vt. Stat. Ann. tit. 13, § 3251; Wash. Rev. Code § 9A.44.010; Wis. Stat. § 940.225.

Those with mental disabilities are presumed unable to consent because consent is assumed to require the knowing, rational and voluntary decision to engage in the activity. The “knowing” part of this entails the ability to understand the nature of the sexual act and its potential consequences (such as pregnancy and others; State vs. Mosbrucker, 758 N.W.2d 663 (ND; 2008)). If mental disability is sufficient, it can undermine such understanding.

Ariz. Rev. Stat. § 13-1401; Iowa Code § 709.1A; Kan. Stat. Ann. § 21-5503; Md. Code Ann., Crim. Law § 3-301; Mont. Code Ann. § 45-2-101; S.D. Codified Laws § 22-22-1; Wash. Rev. Code § 9A.44.010; Wis. Stat. § 940.225.

Ala. Code § 13A-6-60; Colo. Rev. Stat. § 18-3-402; Conn. Gen. Stat. § 53a-65; Del. Code Ann. tit. 11, § 761; Fla. Stat. § 794.011; Haw. Rev. Stat. § 707-700; Ind. Code § 35-42-4-1; Ky. Rev. Stat. Ann. § 510.010; La. Stat. Ann. § 14:42.1; Mich. Comp. Laws § 750.520a; Minn. Stat. § 609.341; Miss. Code Ann. § 97-3-97; N.H. Rev. Stat. Ann § 632-A:2; N.J. Stat. Ann. § 2C:14-1; N.Y. Penal Law § 130.00; N.C. Gen. Stat. § 14-27.20; N.D. Cent. Code § 12.1-20-03; Ohio Rev. Code Ann. § 2907.02; Okla. Stat. tit. 21, § 1111; 18 Pa. Cons. Stat. § 3121; 11 R.I. Gen. Laws § 11-37-1; S.C. Code Ann. § 16-3-652; Tenn. Code Ann. § 39-13-501; Tex. Penal Code Ann. § 22.011; Utah Code Ann. § 76-5-406; W. Va. Code § 61-8B-1; Wyo. Stat. Ann. § 6-2-303.

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Author information

Authors and Affiliations

1. University of Nevada, Reno, Reno, NV, USA Emily F. Wood & Kristina J. Rikkonen
2. Department of Psychology/296, University of Nevada, Reno, Reno, NV, USA Deborah Davis

1. Emily F. Wood