Balancing instrumental and identity goals in relationships: The role of request directness and request persistence in the selection of sexual resistance strategies

Abstract

Research on sexual resistance has contributed significantly to our understanding of the strategies used by resisters, but has been relatively devoid of theoretical applications that shed light on mechanisms underlying the choice of strategy. Moreover, existing research in this area has mostly ignored the interactive and processual nature of sexual encounters. This investigation applied the general frameworks of Politeness Theory and Planning Theory to explain the selection of sexual resistance strategies following both initial and persisting requests. In addition, we investigated the contingent effects of request directness on characteristics of the resistance message and tested the influence of resister sex on strategy choice. The results extend knowledge in this area of inquiry by showing the impact of apparently shifting goals hierarchies for changes in strategy choice within the interaction. The implications of our findings for theoretical and applied claims about sexual resistance contexts are discussed, and suggestions for future research are advanced.

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