Hooking Up: Why Does it Matter?

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by Fox Charlotte

Story Created: Apr 6, 2011 at 11:19 PM EDT

Story Updated: Apr 6, 2011 at 11:19 PM EDT

ROCK HILL, S.C. - Tracy Griggs is an Assistant Professor of Psychology at Winthrop University.  She says, "We've been doing hooking up research for quite a few years now."

Griggs is trying to scientifically determine if a definition of "hooking up" exists. 

We asked several students on campus and got a variety of answers:
"Hooking up is having sex."  
"Hooking up is basically making out with somebody else."  
"When I think of hooking up I think of one night stands."  
"Sex."  
"Probably just like kissing and holding hands."  
"Hooking up is you meet somebody and you want to have your way with them."  
"Taking a girl out for drinks or something like that."

OK, so why all this talk about hooking up and why would anyone research it? The study has a much deeper meaning: it's to help prevent sexual assault.

Griggs says, "Part of the reason we're doing this research is to help provide that kind of information to college health administrators about how to talk with students about how to protect themselves."

Griggs, with help from her student research team, is still analyzing data.  Senior Brooke Perry says the information, collected via anonymous surveys, is surprising.  "People need to be open about it and open to the research and not think, 'oh, well, I already know everything.'  They'd be surprised at what they actually do know."

That is what Griggs says is the most important part of the research: what hooking up means to you is probably different that what it means to your partner.  Communicate verbally what you expect out of the encounter to keep yourself safe.

Griggs explains, "Hooking up can be a very fun experience but it can potentially be a dangerous experience or negative experience."

Griggs started this research in 1999 when she was still a student.  Next week, her students will present part of the "hooking up" research at a conference in Virginia.

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