Miscommunication in sexual interactions: A closer look

Abstract

Previous research strongly suggests that at least two aspects of miscommunication are involved in the occurrence of date/acquaintance rape. These aspects involve the male perceptions of female refusals, of sexual advancement and male and female perceptions of desire for and intent to have sexual intercourse. Two studies utilizing scenarios depicting a female and male target in a sexual interaction were conducted to examine communication in sexual interactions. The results were somewhat consistent with previous research: the studies suggest male subjects generally do not accept coercion in sexual interactions, regardless of a woman's timing, assertiveness. or persistence in refusing sexual advancement, and that both male and female subjects perceive a probability higher for male targets than female targets that the target desires and intends to have intercourse. The results suggest that young men and women should proceed cautiously in sexual interactions, and that more research is needed to better understand the role of miscommunication in date/acquaintance rape.