Date of Award
Spring 4-12-2010
Document Type
Honors Project
Degree Name
Bachelor of Science
Department
Psychological Science
Department Chair or Program Director
Steckler, Debra
First Advisor
Erchull, Mindy J.
Second Advisor
Liss, Miriam
Third Advisor
Kilmartin, Christopher
Major or Concentration
Psychology
Abstract
Research shows that traditional dating in college has been replaced with a “hook up” culture, defined by casual sexual relations. This change has been attributed to the growing permissiveness of young people’s sexual attitudes. However, the most drastic increase in uncommitted sexual activity has been observed among young women. The current research investigated how enjoying sexualization and participating in self-sexualizing behaviors may influence young women’s casual sex and hooking up behaviors. Participants completed an anonymous online survey that included the Enjoyment of Sexualization Scale, the Sexualizing Behaviors Scale, and measures of sexual assertiveness and sexual esteem. Using these variables, we were able to predict young women’s number of casual sex and hook up partners, as well as their willingness to have intercourse during a hook up. This suggests that factors specific to women (i.e., sexualization and sexual objectification) may be contributing to the observed increase in their casual sexual activity.
Recommended Citation
Hartwell, Lauren P., "Young Women Going All the Way: What Predicts Hook Ups and Casual Sex in College?" (2010). Student Research Submissions. 1.
https://scholar.umw.edu/student_research/1