Author

Scott Daner

Date of Award

7-1978

Document Type

Thesis

Degree Name

Master of Arts

Department

Psychology

Abstract

Minimal dating, identified as a significant and relevant target problem, generally has been thought to result from either conditioned anxiety, negative self-evaluations, or social skills deficits. One hundred and thirty-eight subjects were screened and selected on the basis of high and low dating frequency and satisfaction with dating. Twenty-seven males and twenty-seven females who met the criteria participated in a "natural" social interaction. Subjects were paired in three groups: 11 high dating males and 16 high dating females, ten low dating males and ten low dating females, and 5 low dating men and 5 high dating women. Before and after each interaction self report measures were filled out and behavioral data were collected by rating video­ tapes of the interaction. Self report results indicated that high dating and low dating females differed on all measures and that high dating and low dating males differed on all measures except fear. of negative evaluation. There were few behavioral differences between the two dating groups although women, regardless of dating frequency, were less appropriate in the voice category than men. The results also suggest that low daters and high daters differ on affective behaviors but such a result should be interpreted conservatively. Results also suggest that there may be a partner interaction effect such that high daters don't perform as well when interacting with low daters. However, small N's and inconsistent results encourage conservative interpretation and the need for further research is warranted. Lastly, a measure of Dating Self­ Efficacy was validated as a self report measure.

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