Abstract
The popularity of speed-seduction techniques, such as those described in The Game (Strauss 2005) and advocated in the cable program The Pickup Artist (Malloy 2007), suggests some women respond positively to men’s assertive mating strategies. Drawing from these sources, assertive strategies
were operationalized as involving attempts to isolate women, to compete with other men, and to tease or insult women. The
present investigation examined whether hostile and benevolent sexism and sociosexuality, the degree to which individuals require
closeness and commitment prior to engaging in sex, were associated with the reported use of assertive strategies by men and
the reported positive reception to those strategies by women. It was predicted men and women who were more sexist and had
an unrestricted sociosexuality would report using more and being more receptive to assertive strategies. Study 1 (N = 363) surveyed a Midwestern undergraduate college student sample, and regression results indicated that sociosexuality was
associated with assertive strategy preference and use, but sexism only predicted a positive reception of assertive strategies
by women. Study 2 (N = 850) replicated these results by surveying a larger, national U.S. volunteer sample via the internet. In addition to confirming
the results of Study 1, regression results from Study 2 indicated that hostile sexism was predictive of reported assertive
strategy use by men, suggesting that outside of the college culture, sexism is more predictive of assertive strategy use.
Implications for courtship processes and the dating culture are discussed.
were operationalized as involving attempts to isolate women, to compete with other men, and to tease or insult women. The
present investigation examined whether hostile and benevolent sexism and sociosexuality, the degree to which individuals require
closeness and commitment prior to engaging in sex, were associated with the reported use of assertive strategies by men and
the reported positive reception to those strategies by women. It was predicted men and women who were more sexist and had
an unrestricted sociosexuality would report using more and being more receptive to assertive strategies. Study 1 (N = 363) surveyed a Midwestern undergraduate college student sample, and regression results indicated that sociosexuality was
associated with assertive strategy preference and use, but sexism only predicted a positive reception of assertive strategies
by women. Study 2 (N = 850) replicated these results by surveying a larger, national U.S. volunteer sample via the internet. In addition to confirming
the results of Study 1, regression results from Study 2 indicated that hostile sexism was predictive of reported assertive
strategy use by men, suggesting that outside of the college culture, sexism is more predictive of assertive strategy use.
Implications for courtship processes and the dating culture are discussed.
- Content Type Journal Article
- Category Original Article
- Pages 1-14
- DOI 10.1007/s11199-011-0045-y
- Authors
- Jeffrey A. Hall, Communication Studies, The University of Kansas, Bailey Hall, 1440 Jayhawk Blvd., Room 102, Lawrence, KS 66045-7574, USA
- Melanie Canterberry, Dept of Psychology, The University of Kansas, Fraser Hall, 1415 Jayhawk Blvd., Lawrence, KS 66045, USA
- Journal Sex Roles
- Online ISSN 1573-2762
- Print ISSN 0360-0025