University Students’ Interpretation of Thai word for “Molest” Using the Concept of Prototype Theory

Abstract

This article studied the meaning of the word "molest" as perceived by university students according to the concept of Prototype Theory.  Gender was used as the independent variable of the study, and the sample group consisted of 25 males and 25 females.

The results of the study showed that females were more likely to have encountered molestation than males.  Ten out of the 16 types of situations described by researchers were interpreted as molestation by students; 2 out of those 10 situations were statistically significantly (p < 0.05) more likely to be interpreted as molestation by females than by males. Males and females both interpret verbal abuse as harassment rather than mistreatment. This research helps us to understand differences in interpretation between males and females, and may provide some guidance on how to treat one another and maintain proper conduct in society.