PSY 430

Reading Guide: Heldman, C., & Wade, L. (2010).

Hook-up culture:
Setting a new research agenda.
Sex Research Social
Policy, 7, 323-333.
This article examines the emergence of hook-up culture, which is
viewed as a sexual paradigm shift. The article is broken into three
sections: a review of literature on hook-up culture, an exploration of
possible variables that led to its emergence, and ideas for future
research on hook-up culture. Throughout the semester, weve
emphasized the dynamic nature of behavior influenced in part by the
historical context in which it emerges. Hook-up culture emerged as a
new way young adults come together and be sexual with others the
types of intimacies, sexual practices, the timing of relationships, and
all the other variables discussed in the article that may converge to
become hook-up culture.
1. What we know about hook-up culture? p. 324 -327
Describe the characteristics of hook-up culture noted in this
section of article.
o Hook up culture is when people have sexual content
without any talk or desire for a longer, committed
relationship. It often happens at parties.
Note key sexual content/practices
o Rates of oral and anal sex are going up while rates of
vaginal sex are going down. Hook ups include kissing,
touching, manual stimulation, oral stimulation, and
vaginal/penal sex.
Note gender differences explored in emotional & social
outcomes
o Women hope slightly more that their hook ups will lead
to relationships, but both men and women want
relationships.
How hook-up culture has influenced STIs
o People engaging in hook up culture have a higher risk
for contracting STIs than those who do not. Hookup
culture often means that sex is unplanned and thus
unprotected. STIs are more readily transferred because
of the popularity of unprotected oral and anal sex.
2. Hypotheses for causes and timing. p. 327-330
Give brief explanation for each of the nine factors that the authors
identify has contributing to hook-up culture. Provide enough info to

know how that factor may contribute to hook-up culture. Keep in mind
that you will need to know these factors well for your next exam so
take good detailed notes!
1.
2.
3.
4.

5.
6.
7.
8.
9.

3.

College and University Policies- co-ed dorms, on-campus living,

less supervision.
Gender Distribution of College Students- women conform to
mens norms because there are less men than women on
college campuses.
Changes in the nature of alcohol use- 44% of college students
binge drink, and alcohol before hooking up is a major predictor
of wether or not students will have intercourse during a hook up
Access to and consumption of pornography- Pornography
rewrites cultural scripts of sexual acceptance, for example,
rates of cunnilingus are declining and monogamy is becoming
less important.
The Pornification of mass media- media is creating a raunch
culture where there is a thin line between regular media and
porn.
Self-objectification- women turn themselves into objects of
others desire, decreases satisfaction with sex, increases
participation in hook up culture
The New Narcissism- newer generations are much more
narcissistic than previous generations, which predicts their
involvement in hook up culture.
Perception of risk- those engaging in hook up culture grew up
after the HIV/AIDS scare in the US so they dont perceive as
much as a risk in sexual behaviors.
Marriage norms- people are postponing marriage and thinking of
career goals before marriage goals, so they engage in hook up
culture because they are still sexually advanced
Choose two of the factors mentioned above based on interest,
hadnt thought of it in the way described, resonates with your own
views, surprised, alarmed.and share your thoughts.

It really surprised me that self-objectification in women reduces

sexual pleasure. Ive always come at self-objectification from the
perspective that women are more than welcome to act as objects of
desire if it increases their self-esteem and makes them happy.
However, it seems like the majority of self-objectifying women are not
doing it for the right reasons and arent able to feel sexy and also get
what they need in a sexual relationship.
It also struck me that consumption of pornography could have
such an impact on sexual scripts. It scares me, however, that
pornography that caters to men is being consumed by women as ideal

sex. The rates of cunnilingis are dropping because people are

accepting porn ideals as sex ideals.
4.

Is there something you would want changed about hook-up

culture as described in the article?

I think there needs to be more of a mention of the feelings that it

breeds in the people that engage in hook up culture. First of all, it only
talked about independence briefly, but it didnt talk about increasing
loneliness either. Students I interact with often feel very lonely after
hook ups and only hook up because they believe that is the way to
enter into a relationship.
5. Develop a discussion question for the class to explore.
Should hook up culture be celebrated or discouraged? Why?