A TEST OF THE MATE DEPRIVATION HYPOTHESIS OF SEXUAL COERCION

According to the mate deprivation hypothesis of sexual coercion, males are more likely to use sexually coercive tactics if they are disadvan taged in gaining access to desirable mates. This hypothesis was tested in a sample of 156 young, heterosexual, mostly single men enrolled in a Canadian university. Differential access to mates was indexed by se lf-perceived mating success, self-reported sexual history, and relativ e earning potential. Sexual coercion was assessed using the Koss's sex ual experiences survey. Results did not support the hypothesis: men wh o identified themselves as sexually coercive tended to have higher sel f-perceived mating success, had significantly more extensive sexual hi stories, and did not report lower relative earning potential. Coercive men reported a greater preference for partner variety and casual sex. Sexual strategy theory is used to propose two alternative models of s exual coercion. (C) Elsevier Science Inc., 1996