Exploring Motivations for Same-Sex Performativity Among Straight Women at Parties
A study published in Personal Relationships explores the motivations for engaging in same-sex performativity, or public performances of sexuality between heterosexual women, which is especially common in college settings. The study found that women who engaged in same-sex performativity could be separated into three motivational patterns: other-motivated, ambiguously motivated, and sexually motivated. Sexually motivated women were motivated by sexual desire, sexual experimentation, and attraction to women, despite identifying as heterosexual. Other-motivated women engaged in same-sex performances to shock others, gain male attention, or social pressure, and were more likely to be in a sorority. Ambiguously motivated women were the least motivated, felt their experiences were less positive, and were less likely to re-engage in similar behaviors.