NCJ Number
214304
Journal
Criminal Justice Policy Review Volume: 17 Issue: 2 Dated: June 2006 Pages: 127-143
Date Published
June 2006
Length
17 pages
Annotation
This study tested whether Akers' claim that social learning variables (anticipated reward and risk of harm) significantly mediated gender-based behavioral differences applied to the use of alcohol before sexual activity in a sample of White, unmarried college students from eight diverse campuses throughout the United States.
Abstract
The study found that men and women who were members of fraternities and sororities were most likely to use alcohol before having sex compared to students who were not Greek-society members, whether male or female. Fraternity men were most likely to use alcohol before having sex, followed in frequency by sorority women. Akers' theory can help in explaining why sorority women frequently engaged in drinking before sex, in that they tend to associate with fraternity men who are engaging in the same behavior. Less academic success measured by grades had a greater impact on females in increasing alcohol use before sex compared to men with less academic success. The authors conclude that both Akers' social learning variables of risk and reward and feminist theories about conditioned gender roles receive partial support in the findings. They advise, however, that the conclusions of this research are tentative given the limited measures of social learning variables. Suggestions for future research are offered. The data used were obtained from eight colleges where the long form of the Core Alcohol and Drug Survey was administered to students in the mid-1990s. This survey consists of self-report questions that focus on alcohol and drug use on campus. The dependent variable was whether students reported having drunk an alcoholic beverage the last time they had sexual intercourse. 4 tables and 43 references