Social Expectations of Greek Life Members

Open Access
- Author:
- Urban, Joanna Mccarron
- Area of Honors:
- Biobehavioral Health
- Degree:
- Bachelor of Science
- Document Type:
- Thesis
- Thesis Supervisors:
- Patricia Barthalow Koch, Thesis Supervisor
Dr. Lori Anne Francis, Thesis Honors Advisor - Keywords:
- drinking
sexual
behavior
expectancies
fraternity
sororoity - Abstract:
- The present study explored the drinking and sexual experiences of undergraduate students at a major northeastern university who are members of a Greek society. Expectations and motivations for drinking and engaging in risky sexual behavior are explored through expectancy theory and qualitative research methodology in the form of grounded theory. Eighteen individual interviews of fraternity men and sorority women were conducted and audiotaped for transcription. Individual fraternity and sorority members described their preconceived notions and expectations of being a member of Greek life as well as their experiences in the social culture of the Penn State Greek life community in a major theme entitled “Institutional Attitudes.” Two other major themes that emerged were “Mixing Alcohol and Sex” and “Hooking Up.” Many interviewees reported that these experiences had an overall negative impact on their health and well-being resulting in the core variable of “Negative Sexual Experiences.” Data from the present study may be useful in developing interventions in order to reduce and prevent future incidence of risky negative sexual behavior and the detrimental consequences of such behavior.