One+Night+Stand

A one night stand is an occasion in which two consensual partners engage in sexual activity with the understanding that a furthering of the relationship between the two is unlikely to be pursued. Participants often do not have extensive prior information or experience with each other, if at all. It is not rare for the event to be the only time in which the participants meet. One night stands can occur anywhere, as they are defined solely by the relationship between participants. However, certain contexts lend themselves further toward the realization of the event than others. Places that exhibit the sense of brevity and non-permanence provide prime reality for one night stands to be initiated. These places include but are not limited to: Airports, hotels, conferences, bars, concerts, and universities. Each offers its own degree of disengagement that most of society is aware of. While one night stands epitomize the sense of unpredictability and spontaneity, there are certain predictors in participant behavior that can be observed that exhibit increased likelihood in resulting in one night stands. The typical rules of social attraction suggest that people are extremely selective about who they pursue as a mate or relational partner. Characteristics such as physical and non-physical traits and current relationship with a person all play a role in how a person is perceived to another in terms of establishing a long-term relationship that fulfills both members’ needs (Kniffin, 2004). Studies such as Gestalt’s Halo/Horn effect show that people can make decisions on these potentially life-altering encounters in extremely short periods of time (Asch, 1946). Likewise, predictors of social attraction would typically suggest that many who engage in one night stands would not find each other to be good company in most other circumstances. Factors such as rewards vs. costs and proximity tend to overtake the typically more dominant variables like physical attractiveness and compatible personalities (Kniffin, 2004). In a one night stand, the cost is only the time you have spent, while the reward is a sexual encounter void of stress or relational repercussions. By these standards it can be seen why one night stands can often be stigmatized as “mistakes” by participants who took part in sexual activity with people they would later consider to be “below their standards”. People looking for one night stands also tend to be more aggressive than if they were in their typical environment. Since there is no loss of face in front of complete strangers who a person will never meet again, flirting may be more forward instead of subtle. For some it may even be that they are thrill-seekers. Males with higher income showed a significantly higher likelihood of partaking in one night stands. At the other end of the spectrum, those who were married and had higher education were the lease likely to promote the experience (Jung, 2009). The presence of stress-free sex is not the only contributor to one night stands. Health-risk behavior can play a major role in the activities taking place. Partaking in health-risk behaviors—such as drinking, smoking, or having recently attempted suicide—have proven to be significant indicators of increased likelihood of having a one night stand. In a study conducted on over 1,200 South Korean men and women, the key characteristic accompanying a one night stand was the consumption of alcohol by those involved (Jung, 2009). Men and women’s gender roles are present in one night stands despite the apparent nonchalance associated with the activity. Males still are seen as the aggressors who initiate the activity. Men showed significantly higher likelihood of using blatant lies to get people to commit to one night stands with them. For men in this instance, sex is viewed as strictly for pleasure and reward. The self-efficacy aspect of it shows that men engage in trying to get a woman to sleep with them if not simply for the fact to say that they accomplished it. It serves as a motivating factor and a positive experience (Marelich, 2008). Men and women are not separated on all issues associated with one night stands. In those who partake, sex is viewed as a positive experience and certain aspects are understood by both parties. These commonalities play into Sexual Script Theory. Sexual Script Theory says that there are norms in society that men and women adhere to in regards to sexual relationships (Frith, 2001). In terms of one night stands, these scripts showed that all participants understood that there was to be no expectation of a longer relationship resulting from the sexual practice. Also, they showed that men view women as the party most responsible for health concerns (Christianson, 2003). For example, it was observed that women “have the most to lose” in terms of not using a condom and thus are supposed to be the initiator of sexual communication in this instance. However, it was discovered that such conversations were not likely to occur immediately before sex, but rather in lasting relationships as the bond between the two parties has already developed (Jenison, 2010). Context plays a large role in one night stands taking place. The environment the subjects are in alters the perception and justifications of those involved. While America is not as open sexually as certain European countries, it has become progressively more open about sex in terms of the media and talking about the act. As it becomes more mainstream, it may be seen as a less deviant act to have a one night stand, which may accompany a stigma since it contradicts the old-fashioned values of settling down with a single person and remaining loyal to them throughout life. For example, popular culture staples such as [|Dane Cook] and [|Barney Stinson (HIMYM)]have made it commonplace promote one night stands and have repeatedly done so in a humorous fashion. One study demonstrated that men and women both viewed the sex involved as being affectively positive (Campbell, 2008). Even within larger societies, certain smaller communities offer their own set of norms as well. A small Amish town may be only miles away from a major university and both will have extremely different sets of ideals when it comes to sexual activity and how it is viewed and discussed among its members. In the Amish town, it would be taboo to discuss such things, whereas the college town would be much more open and accepting. Colleges are prone to one night stands since they lend themselves very much toward ambiguity with their large enrollments and health-risk behaviors are undoubtedly present and constantly promoted through peers. By the same token, certain contexts lead away from having a one night stand. No matter the location, a person in a relationship would be viewed as wrongful if they were to have a one night stand and a person who repeatedly is found to have one night stands may develop an unwanted reputation. When comparing those who partake in one night stands to those who did not, it was found that STIs (Sexually Transmitted Infection) were spread at a significantly higher rate in one night stand participants (Jung, 2009). Asch, S. (1946). forming impressions of personality. //Journal of Abnormal and social Psychology//, //41//. Campbell, A. (2008). The morning after the night before. //Human Nature//, //19//. [|10.1007/s12110-008-9036-2] Christianson, M. (2003). "one night stands"- risky trips between lust and trust: qualitative interviews with chlamydia trachomatis infected youth ni north sweden. //Scandanavian Journal of Public Health//, //31//. Frith, H. (2001). Reformulating sexual script theory. //Theory and Psychology//, //209// Jenison, S. (2010). 2010 National STD Prevention Conference. (2010). //Center for disease control and prevention//. Jung, M. (2009). The sociodemographic characteristics of concurrent sexual partnerships and thei risky sexual behaviors: results of a nationally representative sample of south korean adults. //Sexuality and Disability//, //27//. doi: [|10.1007/s11195-009-9122-3] Kniffin, K. (2004). The effect of nonphysical traits on the perception of physical attractiveness. //Evolution and Human Behavior//, //25//. Marelich, W. (2008). Sexual deception as a social-exchange process: development of a bahavior-based sexual deception scale. //Journal of Sex Research//, doi: [|10.1080/00224490701596176]
 * One Night Stand[[image:couple-at-bar-lg-35825020.jpg width="185" height="250" align="left" caption="Alcohol is often involved in one night stands."]]**
 * Location**
 * Precursors to a One Night Stand**
 * Social Attraction and Health-risk Behavior**
 * Norms Related to One Night Stands**
 * References**

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