Can Men and Women Be Friends?

Can Men and Women Be Friends?: Sexual Attraction in the Cross-Sex Friendships of Young Adults Consent Form

1. INTRODUCTION
You are invited to be a participant in a research study about the occurrence and outcomes of sexual attraction in a cross-sex friendship. You were selected as a possible participant because you are a young adult (between the ages of 18 and 25). We ask that you read this document and ask any questions you may have before agreeing to be in the study. The study is being conducted by Lindsey B. Peré a Psychology student at Drew University
2. BACKGROUND
The purpose of this study is to look at how often persons develop a sexual attraction for a friend of the opposite sex. We are also looking at what the outcomes of any such development may be. One question we are looking to answer is how often people develop such attractions and act on them. The study will also look at how often a platonic friendship forms between two people who at one point in time had a sexual relationship. Demographics, such as age, grade, level, and sex, are being looked at as indicators for patterns of the behaviors the survey is asking about.
3. DURATION
The length of time you will be involved with this study is about 10-15 minutes.
4. PROCEDURES
If you agree to be in this study, you will be asked to fill out and complete a survey on your own beliefs about cross-sex friendships and your own personal experiences with the development of sexual attraction for a friend of the opposite sex.
5. RISKS/BENEFITS
Risks: There are no foreseeable risks in completing this survey.
Benefits: By completing this survey you are helping a student gain experience in research design and implementation as well as data collection and analysis. You are also gaining experience as a subject, especially if you are a student pursuing a degree in Psychology where it is important to consider what it would be like to be a subject in one’s study.
6. CONFIDENTIALITY
This survey is one hundred percent confidential. All completed surveys will be given a participant ID number but no personally identifying participant information, such as participant name, will be taken, therefore it will never be connected to the survey.

7. VOLUNTARY NATURE OF THE STUDY
Your decision whether or not to participate in this research will not affect your current or future relations with Drew University. If you decide to participate in this study, you are free to withdraw from the study at any time without affecting those relationships and without penalty.

8. CONTACTS AND QUESTIONS
The researcher conducting this study is Lindsey B. Peré. You may ask any questions you have right now. If you have questions later, you may contact the researchers at [email protected].
If you have questions or concerns regarding this study and would like to speak with someone other than the researcher, you may contact Allan Dawson, Assistant Professor, Anthropology, Faulkner House, at [email protected].

9. STATEMENT OF CONSENT

The procedures of this study have been explained to me and my questions have been addressed. I understand that my participation is voluntary and that I may withdraw at any time without penalty. If I have any concerns about my experience in this study (e.g., that I was treated unfairly or felt unnecessarily threatened), I may contact the Chair of the Drew Institutional Review Board regarding my concerns.

I have read and understand the above and consent to participate in the following study.