Skip to main content
SpringerLink
Log in

Sexual Hookups Among College Students: Sex Differences in Emotional Reactions

  • Original Paper
  • Published:
Archives of Sexual Behavior Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Abstract

The purpose of the study was to test four predictions derived from evolutionary (sexual strategies) theory. The central hypothesis was that men and women possess different emotional mechanisms that motivate and evaluate sexual activities. Consequently, even when women express indifference to emotional involvement and commitment and voluntarily engage in casual sexual relations, their goals, their feelings about the experience, and the associations between their sexual behavior and prospects for long-term investment differ significantly from those of men. Women’s sexual behavior is associated with their perception of investment potential: long-term, short-term, and partners’ ability and willingness to invest. For men, these associations are weaker or inversed. Regression analyses of survey data from 333 male and 363 female college students revealed the following: Greater permissiveness of sexual attitudes was positively associated with number of sex partners; this association was not moderated by sex of subject (Prediction 1); even when women deliberately engaged in casual sexual relations, thoughts that expressed worry and vulnerability crossed their minds; for females, greater number of partners was associated with increased worry-vulnerability whereas for males the trend was the opposite (Prediction 2); with increasing numbers of sex partners, marital thoughts decreased; this finding was not moderated by sex of subject; this finding did not support Prediction 3; for both males and females, greater number of partners was related to larger numbers of one-night stands, partners foreseen in the next 5 years, and deliberately casual sexual relations. This trend was significantly stronger for males than for females (Prediction 4).

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this article

Log in via an institution

Price excludes VAT (USA)
Tax calculation will be finalised during checkout.

Instant access to the full article PDF.

Institutional subscriptions

Similar content being viewed by others

References

  • Bailey, J. M., Gaulin, S., Agyei, Y., & Gladue, B. A. (1994). Effects of gender and sexual orientation on evolutionarily relevant aspects of human mating psychology. Journal of Personality and Social Psychology, 66, 1081–1093.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Baumeister, R. F., Catanese, K. R., & Vohs, K. D. (2001). Are there gender differences in strength of sex drive? Theoretical views, conceptual distinctions, and a review of relevant evidence. Personality and Social Psychology Review, 5, 242–273.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Bernard, J. (1972). The future of marriage. New York: Bantam.

  • Buss, D. M. (1989a). Sex differences in human mate preferences: Evolutionary hypotheses tested in 37 cultures. Behavioral and Brain Sciences, 12, 1–49.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Buss, D. M. (1989b). Conflict between the sexes: Strategic interference and the evocation of anger and upset. Journal of Personality and Social Psychology, 56, 735–747.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Buss, D. M. (1994a). The evolution of desire. New York: Basic Books.

    Google Scholar 

  • Buss, D. M. (1994b). Individual differences in mating strategies. Behavioral and Brain Sciences, 17, 581–582.

    Google Scholar 

  • Buss, D. M. (1995). Evolutionary psychology: A new paradigm for psychological science. Psychological Inquiry, 6, 1–30.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Buss, D. M., & Schmitt, D. P. (1993). Sexual strategies theory: An evolutionary perspective on human mating. Psychological Review, 100, 204–232.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Cohen, J. (1992). A power primer. Psychological Bulletin, 112, 155–159.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Ellis, B. J., & Symons, D. (1990). Sex differences in sexual fantasy: An evolutionary psychological approach. Journal of Sex Research, 27, 527–555.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Fielder, R. L., & Carey, M. P. (2010). Predictors and consequences of sexual “hookups” among college students: A short-term perspective study. Archives of Sexual Behavior, 39, 1105–1119.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Gangestad, S. W., & Simpson, J. A. (2000). The evolution of human mating: Trade-offs and strategic pluralism. Behavioral and Brain Sciences, 23, 573–644.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Garcia, J. R., & Reiber, C. (2008). Hook-up behavior: A biopsychosocial perspective. Journal of Social, Evolutionary, and Cultural Psychology, 2, 192–208.

    Google Scholar 

  • Glenn, N., & Marquardt, E. (2001). Hooking up, hanging out, and hoping for Mr. Right: College women on dating and mating today. New York: Institute for American Values.

    Google Scholar 

  • Grello, C. M., Welsh, D. P., & Harper, M. S. (2006). No strings attached: The nature of casual sex in college students. Journal of Sex Research, 43, 255–267.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Grello, C. M., Welsh, D. P., Harper, M. S., & Dickson, J. W. (2003). Dating and sexual relationship trajectories and adolescent functioning. Adolescent and Family Health, 3, 103–112.

    Google Scholar 

  • Kenrick, D. T., Groth, G., Trost, M. R., & Sadalla, E. K. (1993). Integrating evolutionary and social exchange perspectives on relationships: Effects of gender, self-appraisal, and involvement level on mate selection criteria. Journal of Personality and Social Psychology, 64, 951–969.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Kinsey, A. C., Pomeroy, W. B., Martin, C. E., & Gebhard, P. H. (1953). Sexual behavior in the human female. Philadelphia: W. B. Saunders.

    Google Scholar 

  • Lambert, T. A., Kahn, A. S., & Apple, K. J. (2003). Pluralistic ignorance and hooking up. Journal of Sex Research, 40, 129–133.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Landolt, M. A., Lalumiere, M. L., & Quinsey, V. L. (1995). Sex differences in intra-sex variations in human mating tactics: An evolutionary approach. Ethology and Sociobiology, 16, 3–23.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Owen, J., & Fincham, F. D. (2011). Young adults’ emotional reactions after hooking up encounters. Archives of Sexual Behavior, 40, 321–330.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Owen, J., Fincham, F. D., & Moore, J. (2011). Short-term perspective study of hooking up among college students. Archives of Sexual Behavior, 40, 331–341.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Owen, J. J., Rhoades, G. K., Stanley, S. M., & Fincham, F. D. (2010). “Hooking up” among college students: Demographic and psychosocial correlates. Archives of Sexual Behavior, 39, 653–663.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Paul, E. L., & Hayes, K. A. (2002). The casualties of “casual” sex: A qualitative exploration of the phenomenology of college students’ hookups. Journal of Social and Personal Relationships, 19, 639–661.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Paul, E. L., McManus, B., & Hayes, A. (2000). “Hook-ups”: Characteristics and correlates of college students’ spontaneous and anonymous sexual experiences. Journal of Sex Research, 37, 76–88.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Penke, L., & Asendorpf, J. B. (2008). Beyond global sociosexual orientations: A more differentiated look at sociosexuality and its effects on courtship and romantic relationships. Journal of Personality and Social Psychology, 95, 1113–1135.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Penke, L., & Denissen, J. J. A. (2008). Sex differences and lifestyle-dependent shifts in the attunement of self-esteem to self-perceived mate value: Hints to an adaptive mechanism? Journal of Research in Personality, 42, 1123–1129.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Regan, P. C., & Atkins, L. (2006). Sex differences and similarities in frequency and intensity of sexual desire. Social Behavior and Personality, 34, 95–102.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Schmitt, D. P. (2005). Sociosexuality from Argentina to Zimbabwe: A 48-nation study of sex, culture, and strategies of human mating. Behavioral and Brain Sciences, 28, 247–275.

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Simpson, J. A. (1987). The dissolution of romantic relationships: Factors involved in relationship stability and emotional distress. Journal of Personality and Social Psychology, 53, 683–692.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Simpson, J. A., & Gangestad, S. W. (1991). Individual differences in sociosexuality: Evidence for convergent and discriminant validity. Journal of Personality and Social Psychology, 60, 870–883.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Symons, D. (1979). The evolution of human sexuality. New York: Oxford University Press.

    Google Scholar 

  • Todd, P. M., Penke, L., Fasolo, B., & Lenton, A. P. (2007). Different cognitive processes underlie human mate choices and mate preferences. Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences USA, 104, 15011–15016.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Townsend, J. M. (1987). Sex differences in sexuality among medical students: Effects of increasing socioeconomic status. Archives of Sexual Behavior, 16, 427–446.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Townsend, J. M. (1989). Mate selection: A pilot study. Ethology and Sociobiology, 10, 241–253.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Townsend, J. M. (1993). Sexuality and partner selection: Sex differences among college students. Ethology and Sociobiology, 14, 305–330.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Townsend, J. M. (1995). Sex without emotional involvement: An evolutionary interpretation of sex differences. Archives of Sexual Behavior, 24, 171–204.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Townsend, J. M. (1998). What women want—What men want. New York: Oxford University Press.

    Google Scholar 

  • Townsend, J. M. (2005). Sex, sex differences, and the new polygyny. Behavioral and Brain Sciences, 28, 295–296.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Townsend, J. M., Kline, J., & Wasserman, T. H. (1995). Low-investment copulation: Sex differences in motivations and emotional reactions. Ethology and Sociobiology, 16, 25–51.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Townsend, J. M., & Levy, G. D. (1990). Effects of potential partners’ costume and physical attractiveness on sexuality and partner selection. Journal of Psychology, 124, 371–389.

    Google Scholar 

  • Townsend, J. M., & Roberts, L. W. (1993). Gender differences in mate preference among law students: Divergence and convergence of criteria. Journal of Psychology, 127, 507–528.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Townsend, J. M., & Wasserman, T. H. (1998). Sexual attractiveness: Sex differences in assessment and criteria. Evolution and Human Behavior, 19, 171–191.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • van Straaten, I., Engels, R. C. M. E., Finkenauer, C., & Holland, R. W. (2008). Sex differences in short-term mate preferences and behavioral mimicry: A semi-naturalistic experiment. Archives of Sexual Behavior, 37, 902–911.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Waller, N. (1994). Individual differences in age preferences in mates. Behavioral and Brain Sciences, 17, 578–581.

    Google Scholar 

Download references

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Anthropology, Syracuse University, Syracuse, NY, 13244-1090, USA

    John Marshall Townsend

  2. Office of Institutional Research and Assessment, Syracuse University, Syracuse, NY, USA

    Timothy H. Wasserman

Authors
  1. John Marshall Townsend
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  2. Timothy H. Wasserman
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

Corresponding author

Correspondence to John Marshall Townsend.

Appendix

Appendix

Question Content

Sexual Attitudes

  1. 1.

    Sex without love is ok

  2. 2.

    I can imagine myself being comfortable and enjoying “casual” sex with different partners.

  3. 3.

    I would have to be closely attached to someone (both emotionally and psychologically) before I could feel comfortable and fully enjoy having sex with him/her.

  4. 4.

    I feel I should be emotionally involved with a man/woman before having sex with him/her

Worry-Vulnerability

  1. 5.

    Even if I don’t think I want to be emotionally involved with a person, if I have sex with him/her a few times, I begin to feel vulnerable and would at least like to know he/she cares about me.

Marital Thoughts

  1. 6.

    Even when I’ve first met a guy/girl, if I have sex with him/her, afterwards, thoughts cross my mind like: I wonder what it would be like being married to him/her. What would our wedding be like? Where would we go on our honey-moon? What would our kids look like?

Casual Sexual Behavior

  1. 7.

    Number of sex partners in the last year

  2. 8.

    Number of one-night stands

  3. 9.

    Have you ever had sex with someone, and you knew before you had sex that you did not want to get emotionally involved with this person? (number of partners you have done this with)

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Cite this article

Townsend, J.M., Wasserman, T.H. Sexual Hookups Among College Students: Sex Differences in Emotional Reactions. Arch Sex Behav 40, 1173–1181 (2011). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10508-011-9841-2

Download citation

  • Published:

  • Issue Date:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10508-011-9841-2

Keywords

Search

Navigation