Causal attributions, self-monitoring, and gender differences among four virginity status groups

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Authors
Schechterman, Andrew L.
Advisor
Hutchinson, Roger L.
Issue Date
1987
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Thesis (Ph. D.)
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Abstract

The purpose of this research was to determine whether or not different virginity status groups make different causal attributions about virginity and sexual choices, to determine whether self-monitoring influences this attribution process, and to determine whether or not there were any group sex differences.This research attempted to answer several questions: 1) What virginity status groups are most likely to be high self-monitors? Low self-monitors? Are there any sex differences? 2) What kinds of causal attributions do the different virginity status groups make about other virginity status groups? Are there any sex differences?The present research used Russell's Causal Dimension Scale (CDS) and Snyder's selfmonitoring scale to assess information about causal attributions and individual self-monitoring styles. One-hundred and ninety-eight subjects participated. Descriptive and correlational analyses were conducted to determine whether self-monitoring and virginitystatus were statistically related. Based on these correlation results, multivariate analyses were conducted. Wilke's Lambda coefficients were computed via a four-way factorial MANOVA analysis. Univariate analyses and F-tests were also computed based on the multivariate results. Post-hoc comparisons of significant univariate means (main effects and interactions) were then calculated using the Tukey B test.Results indicated that 1) self-monitoring and virginity status were not correlated although male subjects were significantly higher in self-monitoring than were female subjects. 2) Although univariate analyses revealed significant effects for attributions of internality and stability, using the conservative Tukey B procedure, there were no significant differences. 3) Adamant virgin subjects attributed significantly more internality to vignettes of males than Potential Non-virgin subjects did to vignettes of males. 4) Subjects attributed significantly more controllability to vignettes of female Regretful Non-virgins than to vignettes of female Adamant virgins. 5) Regretful Non-virgin subjects attributed significantly more stability to vignettes of Regretful Non-virgins than to vignettes of Adamant virgins. 6) Male subjects attributed significantly more controllability to vignettes of Potential Non-virgins than to vignettes of Adamant virgins. 7) Regretful Non-virgin subjects attributed significantly controllability to vignettes of male Potential Non-virgins than they did to vignettes of female Adamant virgins. 8) Non-virgin subjects attributed significantly more stability to vignettes of female Potential Non-virgins than they did to vignettes of female Regretful Non-virgins.A discussion of the results, their implications for practice, and recommendations for further research were also presented.