Citation

Laner MR. J. Fam. Violence 1989; 4(1): 47-62.

Affiliation

Department of Sociology, Arizona State University, 85287-2101 Tempe, Arizona

Copyright

(Copyright © 1989, Holtzbrinck Springer Nature Publishing Group)

DOI

10.1007/BF00985656

PMID

unavailable

Abstract

Based on reports from 143 male college students, the relationship between a dating partner''s perceived level of competitiveness and combativeness (one''s own and one''s partner''s) is examined. Competitiveness is seen as a direct measures of efforts to exert control. Findings show that even high levels of pleasant competitive behaviors are unrelated to combativeness. However, as scores on a measure of unpleasant competitive behaviors increase, so do scores on a measure of combativeness. Recommendations are offered to educators and counselors regarding the nexus between competitiveness and courtship problems.