Semester

Fall

Date of Graduation

2022

Document Type

Thesis

Degree Type

MA

College

Eberly College of Arts and Sciences

Department

Sociology and Anthropology

Committee Chair

Lisa Dilks

Committee Co-Chair

Jesse Wozniak

Committee Member

Jesse Wozniak

Committee Member

Lindsay Kahle Semprevivo

Abstract

Incarceration is a rapidly increasing occurrence in the United States with more than 1.4 million people incarcerated and more than 2 million on some form of restricted confinement. While men are incarcerated at a much higher rate than women, women are still at a steady incline of incarceration as well. Also, people of color disproportionately make up a large number of those incarcerated while accounting for a small percentage of the general population. Previous research on people who have been incarcerated focuses on it affects education, employment, and marriage. Little research has attempted to explore how incarceration effects dating, a normal occurrence in the life course. In order to expand on existing research, this study utilizes experimental vignettes that manipulate the race, gender, and incarceration history of mock online dating profiles. Respondents were asked their attraction and relationship desirability toward the profile partner as well as other criminal justice related questions. Results found that an incarceration status does in fact cause lower rates in attraction and relationship desirability for both men and women respondents, albeit in different ways.

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