Rodney M. Cate

Romance and Violence in Dating Relationships

Recent data verifying a substantial amount of violence in dating relationships have presented a new challenge to the romantic love model. This study, which investigates abuse between high school couples, confirms the existence of violence among younger partners and describes their reactions to those abusive events. Findings suggest that violence is viewed by participating individuals as relatively nondisruptive to the relationship and sometimes is even seen as a positive occurrence. Discussion centers on how romance and violence coexist.

Premarital Abuse A Social Psychological Perspective

Little research has examined the incidence and dynamics of abuse between premarital partners at all levels of commitment. The present questionnaire study found the incidence of premarital abuse to be substantial and largely reciprocal in nature. Abuse typically began after some degree of commitment was established. Abuse was usually seen as caused by anger, although the effect of abuse on the relationship was not routinely seen as detrimental. It appeared that one possible explanation for abuse in these relationships was that those who stayed in abusive situations reported having fewer alternatives to the violent relationship than those who had terminated an abusive liaison. In general, the respondents had negative attitudes toward violence in relationships. However, those who had experienced abuse were more accepting of violence than those who had not experienced premarital abuse. The discussion focuses on several suggestions for further research to construct a clearer picture of premarital abuse.

Fairness and reward level as predictors of relationship satisfaction.

The purpose of the present study is to examine (a) the degree to which people perceive equity and equality to coexist in their relationships, and (b) the relative ability of equity, equality, and reward level to predict relationship satisfaction. First, 337 individuals were asked to assess their current dating relationships in terms of equity, equality, reward level, and satisfaction. Second, some of the data from the Walster, Walster, and Traupmann (1978) study concerning equity and relationship satisfaction were reanalyzed. Results from the present data and the Walster et al. data indicate that the concurrence of equity and equality (or inequity and nonequality) is very high. In addition, analyses of the present data reveal that reward level is superior to equity and equality in predicting relationship satisfaction. The results point to a need for longitudinal assessment of relationships in order to understand the apparently dynamic nature of reward allocation in relationships.

Anti‐black attitudes, religious orthodoxy, permissiveness, and sexual information: A study of the attitudes of heterosexuals toward homosexuality

Abstract The purpose of this study was to evaluate three sets of predictors of attitudes toward homosexuality: (a) anti‐black and orthodox religious attitudes, (b) sexual permissiveness, and (c) the effect of an introductory human sexuality course. Significantly more positive attitudes were expected for those holding more positive attitudes toward blacks and those who were more sexually permissive. A negative relationship was expected for those holding orthodox religious attitudes. Furthermore, information from a college course in human sexuality was expected to produce positive attitude change toward homosexuality. A survey instrument consisting of several scales and indexes measuring the aforementioned variables, as well as several indexes of sexual behavior, was administered to 194 students in a human sexuality course and 120 students in an introductory psychology course. Results showed significant regression coefficients for anti‐black attitudes and religious orthodoxy, confirming the predictions. Sex...

Anticipated Influences on Sexual Decision-Making for First Intercourse.

The purpose of this study was to establish the basic underlying factors that virgins perceive as influences in the decision to have 1st sexual intercourse. An inventory of potential influences was administered to 195 college students 52 males and 139 females with a mean age of 19.6 years. Factor analysis derived 3 interpretable factors: 1) physical arousal experienced at different stages during the date prior to intercourse; 2) relationship--the degree of positive affect and commitment at the time of sexual intercourse; 3) circumstances including preplanning and arousal prior to the date. The quality of the relationship is seen as more important for those participants who foresee 1st coitus occurring while seriously dating at engagement or at marriage. Physical arousal and circumstances play a larger role for those who foresee 1st coitus while casually dating. Relationship factors were rated as significantly more important by females than by males. No gender difference was found on the anticipated influence of physical arousal. This may reflect a growing trend of equality in sexual fulfillment in our society.

Sexual Intercourse and Relationship Development

The present study examined the connection between having sexual intercourse with a premaritalpartnerfor thefirst time and the effect on the subsequent relationship. This questionnaire study surveyed 447 college students concerning personalfactors and characteristics of their relationships with theirpremaritalpartners. The results indicated that severalfactors were related to the effect on the relationship. Quality of the relationship as a sexual decision factor was the best predictor of positive effect on the relationship. Suggestionsfor research on premarital sexuality are discussed as well as implicationsfor intervention programs in family life education and high school and university human sexuality programis, and with premarital couples.

Equity and Rewards as Predictors of Satisfaction in Casual and Intimate Relationships

Summary The degree to which equity and rewards predict satisfaction was investigated in 325 college students (88 males, 237 females) divided into casual or intimate relationship groups according to their current dating status. Ss completed a questionnaire which included the Walster, Walster, and Traupmann measure of equity, the Austin Mood Index, and an assessment of reward level in the six reward areas outlined by Foa and Foa. Stepwise regression indicated that status and equity were significant predictors of satisfaction for the casually involved group (Multiple R = .58), while information, equity and love were significant predictors of satisfaction for the intimate group (Multiple R = .60). Discussion centered on individual status benefits derived from casual dating as compared with relationship-oriented rewards for intimate daters.

A Survey Instrument for Assessing the Cognitive Association of Sex, Love, and Marriage

The development of a survey instrument for measuring the cognitive association of sex, love, and marriage (SLM) is reported. The SLM scale was tested in two phases with two distinct data sets. The first data set comprised the responses of 321 undergraduates at a New England state university. In this first phase, the specific item composition of the scale was determined, and initial reliability and internal consistency were established. The second data set included the responses of 835 undergraduates from three U.S. universities: a Northeastern state university, a Southwestern state university, and a Northwestern state university. In this second phase, additional reliability information was obtained, and the issue of construct validity was explored. By analysis, we judged that the SLM scale is, as expected, significantly related to extramarital sexual attitudes, premarital sexual attitudes, premarital sexual behavior, religiosity, and current relationship involvement. The theoretical significance of SLM as...

An Interpersonal Resource Exchange Program for Couples

Clinical application of social exchange concepts has begun in marital and family therapy, but little has been done in using the theory in the development of marital enhancement programs. The program described here uses these social and resource exchange theories to aid couples in enhancing their relationships.