Open AccessFlirtation Rejection Strategies: Toward an Understanding of Communicative Disinterest in Flirting
Author(s) -
Alan K. Goodboy,
Maria Brann
Publication year - 2014
Publication title -
the qualitative report
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
ISSN - 2160-3715
DOI - 10.46743/2160-3715/2010.1151
Subject(s) - flirting , psychology , focus group , politeness theory , thematic analysis , grounded theory , social psychology , politeness , reciprocal , focus (optics) , friendship , qualitative research , sociology , linguistics , social science , philosophy , physics , anthropology , optics
Single adults often seek successful flirtatious encounters; yet these encounters can sometimes be considered failures. However, little research has identified flirtation rejection strategies enacted by those not interested in reciprocal flirting. The purpose of this study was to examine behavioral and verbal flirtation rejection strategies among college students. Stemming from a grounded theory methodology and a focus group method, 21 college students shared their experiences in focus group discussions. Thematic analysis yielded five behavioral rejection strategies (i.e., departure, friendship networks, cell-phone usage, ignoring, facial expressions) and four verbal rejection strategies (i.e., significant others, brief responses, politeness, insults) and sex differences in their usage. Results suggest that both men and women possess a predictable arsenal of available rejection strategies.