Casual sexual relationships: Identifying definitions for one night stands, booty calls, fuck buddies, and friends with benefits

Operational definitions of casual sexual relationships (CSRs; i.e., Friends with Benefits, Booty Call) have not been validated in previous research. In this exploratory study of terminology used to describe various CSRs, participants were provided with definitions for One Night Stand, Booty Call, Fuck Buddy, and Friends with Benefits relationships and asked to identify the corresponding label for each definition. Overall, a majority (i.e., ≥81%) of men (n = 341) and women (n = 544) accurately identified the corresponding labels. Specifically, a higher proportion of participants with sexual intercourse experience identified the corresponding definition labels, whereas there was no difference in the proportion of those with or without previous casual sex experience. Furthermore, a higher proportion of female participants identified the corresponding labels, possibly reflecting a greater capacity to identify subtle relationship cues conveyed within the definitions. Given the prevalence of CSRs in the current cultural context, it is vital for researchers to ensure that the terminology they use accurately reflects their participants’ understanding of the concepts under investigation.