Swinging: a review of the literature.

No review of the topic of swinging has been done in the last 20 years. This review is intended to update the literature. Studies estimating the incidence of swinging, the demographic and personality characteristics of swingers, along with how swingers are perceived by nonswingers are reviewed. Numerous theories explaining this behavior have been presented with a social psychological model being the primary focus here. Major reasons for getting involved in swinging, initiation into the lifestyle, effects on marriage, and dropping out of swinging are also covered. Finally, the literature dealing with some of the major problems with swinging, focusing on AIDS, are also discussed, along with the current state of swinging and suggestions for future research.

Attitudes and perceptions toward smoking: smokers' views of themselves and other smokers.

A sample of American smokers completed a questionnaire regarding their motivations for and opinions about smoking. The subjects also indicated their perceptions of how other smokers feel about the same issues. The results indicated that the subjects perceived psychological addiction as the primary reason for their own smoking. The subjects perceived differences between their own motivations and opinions and those of the other smokers'. The subjects were likely to be more critical of their own smoking. The longer the subjects had been smoking, and the more cigarettes they smoked, the more likely they were to say that smoking is psychologically and physically addictive and that quitting would be difficult.

Attitudes, perceptions, and risk-taking behaviors of smokers, ex-smokers, and nonsmokers.

A sample of American adults completed questionnaires relevant to cigarette smoking. The questions were related to three areas: risk, perceptions of their or others' smoking, and satisfaction with life and health. The results revealed that smokers were greater risk-takers, that they perceived their smoking to be due to both physical and psychological addictions, and that they expressed less satisfaction and control. Results also indicated that smokers who saw their smoking as being addictive tended to be less satisfied with their health and felt less control over their lives. On the other hand, those smokers who were more likely to deny the health risks did not differ from either non- or ex-smokers on any of the satisfaction or control questions.

Swinging: a test of two theories and a proposed new model.

One objective was to test two of the major theories of swinging. The first, rooted in the concept of marginality, is based on the idea that swingers are relatively new to their communities and to the middle class. The second has argued that swingers are more likely to be less attached to the community and the institutions in society. A third theory takes a more social psychological approach, viewing swingers within an "emergent" situation. However, this approach does not include any predisposing factors. A second objective, therefore, was to analyze the effects of a predisposing variable thought to be important in swinging-jealousy. A group of 114 swingers, along with a control group of 114 nonswingers, responded to a questionnaire containing a number of demographic and attitudinal items. Results indicated that swingers, compared to nonswingers, had lived in their communities for fewer years, had moved more often within the past 5 years, and identified less with religion. However, swingers were no different on political identification or newness to the middle class. And, contrary to expectations, swingers belonged to more community organizations than nonswingers and responded in a less alienated fashion on two items. When jealousy was introduced, it was found that swingers perceived themselves as less jealous than nonswingers and that nonjealous swingers were more liberal than nonjealous nonswingers on a number of attitudinal items. Finally, a social psychological model of swinging, including predisposing factors, is presented.