Related Experiment Videos
Causal attributions, self-monitoring, and gender differences among four virginity status groups.
A L Schechterman1, R L Hutchinson
1St. Benedicts Hospital, Outpatient Psychology Services, Ogden, Utah.
Adolescence
|January 1, 1991
Summary
Virginity status and gender significantly impact causal attributions regarding sexual choices. However, self-monitoring did not influence these attributions in undergraduates.
Area of Science:
- Social Psychology
- Cognitive Psychology
Background:
- Sexual choices involve complex cognitive and affective processes.
- Attribution theory offers a social-cognitive framework for understanding these behaviors.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate causal attributions about virginity and sexual choices.
- To examine the influence of self-monitoring on these attributions.
- To explore gender differences in attributional processes related to sexuality.
Main Methods:
- 198 undergraduates completed the Causal Dimension Scale and Self-Monitoring Scale.
- Participants were grouped by self-reported virginity status.
- Statistical analyses examined differences across groups and genders.
Main Results:
- Significant differences in causal attributions were found based on virginity status.
- Gender also played a significant role in attributional patterns.
- Self-monitoring was not identified as a significant covariate in this process.
Conclusions:
- Virginity status and gender are key factors in how individuals attribute causality to sexual choices.
- Self-monitoring's role in these specific attributions appears limited.
- Findings contribute to understanding the social-cognitive underpinnings of sexual decision-making.