Senior Honors Projects, 2010-2019
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Date of Graduation
Spring 2016
Document Type
Thesis
Degree Name
Bachelor of Science (BS)
Department
Department of Health Sciences
Advisor(s)
Katherine Ott-Walter
Abstract
The hookup culture on college campuses is creating a social shift away from traditional dating. The social influence of this culture could potentially be explained through the use of the Social Cognitive Theory (SCT). The SCT examines the effects of peer influence, environmental influence, and personal beliefs on individual behavior. The current study applied the SCT to the hookup culture embodied in the undergraduate student body at James Madison University. Research found that many students may be influenced by their peers and environment to participate in this culture and students misperceive the hookup behavior of their peers. These results can be used to create safer sex promotion and educational measures in order to reduce students’ high risk sexual behaviors. Future studies might benefit by focusing on behavioral differences between social groups, such as fraternities, athletics, and across majors to determine if there is a social group that faces greater subjection to high risk sexual behaviors.
Recommended Citation
Crawford, Jacqueline M., "Applying the social cognitive theory to the hookup culture embodied in the Undergraduate students of James Madison University" (2016). Senior Honors Projects, 2010-2019. 136.
https://commons.lib.jmu.edu/honors201019/136
