Strategic behaviors in romantic relationship initiation

Two studies were conducted to examine the strategies used to initiate roman tic relationships. In Study I, participants responded to questions about ge neral romantic relationship initiation strategies derived from the literatu re. In Study 2, participants wrote narrative accounts of their romantic rel ationship initiation experiences, which were coded for relationship goals a nd initiation strategies. The effect of biological sex on the evaluation an d use of relationship initiation strategies was assessed in both studies. O verall, the normative pattern of goals and strategies prominently included love and intimacy goals and direct and emotional-disclosure strategies. Men tended to be more active and direct in the beginning stages of relational development and to be more interested than women in the goal of sexual inti macy; women used passive and indirect strategies more often than men. Resul ts are discussed in terms of Buss and Schmitt's sexual strategies theory an d Reis and Shaver's model of interpersonal intimacy.