The major sociological theory that can be applied to this article is social exchange theory. Defined as “[how] we measure our actions and relationships on a cost-benefit basis, seeking to maximize rewards and minimize costs…” (Strong & Cohen, 2014), this theory enriches the article’s assertion that relationships versus hookups are economic calculations. The ambiguous term of hooking-up can mean different things to different people, but all definitions agree that it “implies some degree of physical intimacy” (Strong & Cohen, 2014). Anything from making out to oral sex to vaginal intercourse can be thrown under the hookup umbrella. Through a series of interviews, “Sex on Campus…” explores how “traditional dating in college has… [been] replaced by hooking-up” (Taylor, 2013) and why. The answer that most of the interviewees can up with was that “they believed that getting too attached to someone would interfere with their work. They saw a woman’s marrying young as either proof of lack of ambition or a tragic mistake that would stunt her career” (Taylor,
The major sociological theory that can be applied to this article is social exchange theory. Defined as “[how] we measure our actions and relationships on a cost-benefit basis, seeking to maximize rewards and minimize costs…” (Strong & Cohen, 2014), this theory enriches the article’s assertion that relationships versus hookups are economic calculations. The ambiguous term of hooking-up can mean different things to different people, but all definitions agree that it “implies some degree of physical intimacy” (Strong & Cohen, 2014). Anything from making out to oral sex to vaginal intercourse can be thrown under the hookup umbrella. Through a series of interviews, “Sex on Campus…” explores how “traditional dating in college has… [been] replaced by hooking-up” (Taylor, 2013) and why. The answer that most of the interviewees can up with was that “they believed that getting too attached to someone would interfere with their work. They saw a woman’s marrying young as either proof of lack of ambition or a tragic mistake that would stunt her career” (Taylor,