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Abstract
This dissertation aimed to understand the strategies used and variables that predict strategy use when first introducing something new to a sexual relationship. Two studies determined the communication strategies and variables that predict those strategies. The preliminary study coded open ended questions where people wrote about a time in which they wanted to try something new sexually. This study found that although people primarily used indirect strategies, many people also reported use of direct strategies. The second study used Predicted Outcome Value Theory as a foundation for predicting the use of various relationship specific (intimacy and sexual communication) and general sexual factors (number of partner and sexual stereotypes) that contribute to the use of direct and indirect behaviors. Results showed support for POV as a way to understand the process of communicating about a new sexual act. Also, results showed that relationship specific factors were better predictors of communicative strategies than general sexual factors. Implications the relationship has for introducing something new to a sexual relationship are presented