Abstract
Prior studies found that men’s and women’s dating expectations include many similar activities. Here, two studies are reported focusing on activities included in scripts for a “typical date” using first a more qualitative method and then a more quantitative method. Results were highly consistent across method, showing many similarities across the three dating scenes presented (initiation/meeting, date activities, and date outcomes/conclusions). Consistent with the traditional view of dating, greater expectations for sexual activities on a date were found for men while expectations for limiting of sexual activities were found to be the responsibility of women. These findings were further explored to focus on the effects of prior sexual experience, college experience, and membership in a Greek social organization in Study 2. Clear differences are found with sexual experience and Greek membership across the three dating scenes. It is especially notable that membership in Greek organizations for men created dating scripts that were discrepant with both those of younger men as well as younger and older women regardless of Greek status. Understanding these differences in expectations becomes critical when older men date younger women, an event fairly typical in colleges and universities.
Article PDF
Similar content being viewed by others
Avoid common mistakes on your manuscript.
References
Abbey, A. (1991). Acquaintance rape and alcohol consumption on college campuses: How are they linked? Journal of American College Health, 39, 165–169.
Abbey, A. (2000). Alcohol’s effects on sexual perception. Journal of Studies on Alcohol, 61, 688–697.
Abbey, A. (2002). Alcohol-related sexual assault: A common problem among college students. Journal of Studies on Alcohol, 14, 118–128.
Abbey, A. & Harnish, R.J. (1995). Perceptions of sexual intent: The role of gender, alcohol consumption, and rape supportive attitudes. Sex Roles, 32, 297–313.
Alksnis, C., Desmarais, S., & Wood, E (1996). Gender differences in scripts for different types of dates. Sex Roles, 34, 499–509.
Corcoran, K.J. & Thomas, L.R. (1991). The influence of observed alcohol consumption on perceptions of initiation of sexual activity in a college dating situation. Journal of Applied Social Psychology, 21, 500–507.
Crowe, L.C. & George, W.H. (1989). Alcohol and human sexuality: Review and integration. Psychological Bulletin, 105, 374–386.
George, W.H., Gournic, S.J., & McAfee, M.P. (1988). Perceptions of post-drinking female sexuality: Effects of gender, beverage choice, and drink payment. Journal of Applied Social Psychology, 21, 500–507.
Korman, S.K., & Leslie, G.R. (1982). The relationship of feminist ideology and date expense sharing to perceptions of sexual aggression. The Journal of Sex Research, 18, 114–129.
Laner, M.R., & Ventrone, N.A. (1998). Egalitarian daters/traditionalist dates. Journal of Family Issues, 19, 468–477.
Laner, M.R., & Ventrone, N.A. (2000). Dating scripts revisited. Journal of Family Issues, 21, 488–500.
LaPlante, M.N. (1980). Living the sexual script: College students’ views of influence in sexual encounters. Journal of Sex Research, 16(4), 338–355.
Levinger, G. (1982, August). A systems perspective on the development of close relationships. Presented at the Annual American Psychological Association Meeting, Washington, DC.
McCormick, N.B. (1987). Sexual scripts: Social and therapeutic implications. Sexual and Marital Therapy, 2, 3–27.
Muehlenhard C.L. (1988). Misinterpreted dating behaviors and the risk of date rape. Journal of Social and Clinical Psychology, 6, 20–37.
Norris, J., & Cubbins, L.A. (1992). Dating, drinking, and rape: Effect of victim’s and assailant’s alcohol consumption on judgments of their behaviors and traits. Psychology of Women Quarterly, 16, 179–191.
Nurius, P.S., Norris, J., & Dimeff, L.A. (1996a). Through her eyes: Factors affecting women’s perception of resistance to acquaintance sexual aggression threat. Psychology of Women Quarterly, 20, 123–145.
Nurius, P.S., Norris, J., Dimeff, L.A., & Graham, T.L. (1996b). Expectations regarding acquaintance sexual aggression among sorority and fraternity members. Sex Roles, 35, 427–444.
Rose, S., & Frieze, I.H. (1989). Young singles’ scripts for a first date. Gender and Society, 3, 258–268.
Rose, S., & Frieze, I.H. (1993). Young singles’ contemporary dating scripts. Sex Roles, 28, 499–509.
Simon, W., & Gagnon, J.H. (1986). Sexual scripts: Permanence and change. Archives of Sexual Behavior, 15, 97–120.
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Rights and permissions
About this article
Cite this article
Bartoli, A.M., Clark, M.D. The dating game: Similarities and differences in dating scripts among college students. Sex Cult 10, 54–80 (2006). https://doi.org/10.1007/s12119-006-1026-0
Issue Date:
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s12119-006-1026-0