Document Type

Thesis

Date of Degree Completion

Summer 1973

Degree Name

Master of Science (MS)

Department

Family and Consumer Sciences

Committee Chair

L. Baker

Second Committee Member

Roger G. Stewart

Third Committee Member

Daryl D. Basler

Abstract

The effects of rewards and costs on decision-making as perceived by the participants in the premarital dyad, along with the relationship between high personality dominance and competitive behavior, and the attributes of the discussion involving premarital sexual decision-making were studied, using one hundred persons, fifty of whom were solicited from the Central Washington State College student body as being engaged to be married, or involved in a serious relationship which could lead to marriage. The four procedures used were" (1) a questionnaire, (2) a "mixed-motive" game, (3) an inventory, and (4) and interview. It was concluded that the more congruent the reward-cost outcome as perceived by the two participants in the dating relationship, the more likely that consensual decisions will be made, and that the second and third procedures have potential as a method of examining decision-making strategies.

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