Practice dating as treatment for college dating inhibitions

Thirty males and 30 females who volunteered for a program to increase dating skills were randomly assigned to a treatment group of six practice dates plus feedback, a treatment group of six practice dates only, or a delayed treatment control group. Within subject-specified constraints of height, age, race, and distance from campus, a computer randomly matched opposite sexed subjects for the six practice dates, each date with a different subject. After each practice date in the feedback condition, subjects completed forms calling for primarily positive comments about the partner. Forms were later exchanged via the experimenter. Outcome was assessed by self-report, self-monitoring, behavioral, and peer rating measures. Results indicated the superiority of treatment conditions over the control condition. Some evidence indicated superiority of the no feedback condition over the feedback condition. Evidence of maintenance of changes over a three-month follow-up period is provided.