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Settings’ Influence on Perceptions of Romantic and Sexual Relationship Initiations
Adams, Katie Nicole
Adams, Katie Nicole
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Abstract
If someone wants to initiate a romantic relationship, does it matter where the initiation attempt occurs? Since behaviors do not occur in a vacuum (Bargh & Morsella, 2010), identical initiation behaviors could play out and be perceived very differently if they occur in different environments. Environments matter because they impact whether people perceive an action as appropriate or not, or as fitting injunctive norms or not (Cialdini et al., 1991; Sherif, 1936). A series of studies examined the role that settings play in the perception of hypothetical relationship initiation attempts. Study 1 explored past and current social appropriateness of romantic or sexual initiation in four settings. Study 2 sourced a wider variety of settings for real-world relationship initiations through an open-ended survey (2a); participants were asked to list locations where initiation would be (in)appropriate to occur. A separate sample rated 48 identified settings on initiation appropriateness (2b). Study 3a-c tested the appropriateness and outcomes of 12 settings, across three relevant variables (i.e., initiator’s attractiveness, 3a; initiator’s familiarity, 3b; proposed date or casual sex, 3c). Participants read vignettes for all 12 settings and rated the initiation’s appropriateness and the likelihood they would contact the initiator / agree to the proposition. Results supported that settings vary in how appropriate they are perceived for relationship initiation, and the more/less appropriate a setting is perceived for relationship initiation, the more/less successful the initiator will be in obtaining a future interaction with the target. Additionally, irrespective of the initiators’ attractiveness, familiarity, or type of proposal, initiation attempts’ success was impacted by the settings’ appropriateness. Thus, an initiator is likely to have reduced success with the same target if they try to begin a relationship in a less socially appropriate place. Further results and implications will be discussed. This work is the first to empirically test whether perceptions and outcomes of initiation attempts differ as a function of the environment in which they occur. Findings serve as a historical snapshot of romantic and sexual relationship initiation in present-day America. Understanding what factors facilitate or hinder the initiation of potential relationships may help people form long-lasting, satisfying relationships.
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Date
2022-08-31
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University of Kansas
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Keywords
Social psychology, Close relationships, Relationship initiation, Settings, Social norms