Tactics for promoting sexual encounters

Abstract

Through empirical studies we explored the perceived effectiveness and reported usage of tactics to promote sexual encounters. In the first study (N = 58) we identified 122 acts and 34 tactics for promoting sexual encounters. In the second study (N = 50) we examined the perceived effectiveness of each tactic when used by a man and when used by a woman. In the third study (N = 100) we examined the reported frequency with which men and women performed each tactic, as well as the frequency of being the recipient of each tactic from the other sex. Tactics were generally perceived as more effective for women than for men. Women were particularly effective, however, when conveying signals of immediate sexual access and enhanced physical appearance. Despite the effectiveness of signaling immediate sexual access, women performed these acts only infrequently. The most effective male tactics for promoting a sexual encounter involved investing time and attention and communicating love and commitment to a woman. Overall, the sexes showed much similarity in what types of tactics they performed, despite the large differences in perceived effectiveness, largely because women typically refrained from performing the most effective tactics for promoting sexual encounters. Discussion focuses on a framework for understanding the sex of actor differences in tactic effectiveness and performance and on examining the factors that likely contribute to sexual miscommunication.

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