Dissertation
Hanging Out is the New Date: Redefining Romantic Experience in an Era of Media
Doctor of Philosophy (PhD), Washington State University
01/2019
Handle:
https://hdl.handle.net/2376/17902
Abstract
The contemporary Western society has witnessed changes in romantic experience with various degrees of commitment and intimacy, among which non-committed relationships are gaining acceptance, especially among young people in the United States. The purpose of this dissertation is to examine the socially constructed meanings of romantic experiences, as well as how mediated sexual scripts that portray non-committed relationships varied in their level of commitment influence college students’ definitions, experiences, and expectations of romantic experience. Study 1 aims to explore the meanings of backburner relationships, and study 2 aims to understand other non-committed relationships and committed romantic relationships. This study finds college-age individuals have a mindset of market when seeking romantic relationship, and the cost and benefit are their primary standards for determining the “worthiness” of a romantic relationship, and maximizing relationship options is desired. This study also reveals that college students use traditional gender scripts in navigating romantic relationships.
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Details
- Title
- Hanging Out is the New Date
- Creators
- Xiaofei Song
- Contributors
- Stacey J.T. Hust (Advisor)Amanda D. Boyd (Committee Member)Pamela J. Bettis (Committee Member)
- Awarding Institution
- Washington State University
- Academic Unit
- Edward R. Murrow College of Communication
- Theses and Dissertations
- Doctor of Philosophy (PhD), Washington State University
- Number of pages
- 131
- Identifiers
- 99900581501901842
- Language
- English
- Resource Type
- Dissertation