“That Was Fun, I Gotta Run:” Comparing Exit Strategies of a One-Time Sexual Encounter to Buyer–Seller Relationship Dissolution

Abstract

Existing literature on sexual behavior has often examined several different types of casual sexual relationships (CSRs) collectively as a CSR as opposed to looking at each type of CSR individually. Research has previously looked at exit strategies in conjunction with committed relationships, but there is a dearth of research looking at how individuals exit noncommittal sexual encounters, such as a one-time sexual encounters (OTSE). This study aimed to examine exit strategies from an OTSE and then compare them to exit strategies used in business relationship dissolution. We gathered qualitative data from 48 participants and analyzed it using thematic analysis. Three main themes from this data were (1) communications that signaled the end of an OTSE, (2) actions taken that signaled the end of an OTSE and (3) agreements made about an OTSE. Eleven of our subthemes mapped on to the business model used. These findings demonstrate that OTSEs may be viewed as a transactional encounter instead of a short-term personal relationship by those who engage in them.