Same-sex and Cross-sex Teasing Categories and Reactions among Jadara University Students

Abstract

Teasing is a universal phenomenon that is not confined to a certain nation, age, class, or even level of education.  Teasing is mostly a disliked behavior that can be verbal or non-verbal meant to achieve a desired aim of the teaser on the teased target. It has various definitions, objectives and reasons. Teasing is double-edged; it can be innocent or malicious. The sample of this study consisted of 110 undergraduates (53 males and 57 females). It was carried out at five different intervals. It aimed to answer three questions concerning same-sex, cross-sex teasing categories and reactions. The findings of the study revealed that female-same-sex teasing expressions could be categorized under underestimation, criticism, physical appearance, academic competence, clothing, and imitation, whereas male-same-sex expressions could be categorized under underestimation, describing the target as an animal or something bad, physical appearance, relationships, cursing, and rumor. Teasing expressions directed from females to males could be categorized under underestimation, academic competence, and describing the target as an animal or something bad while teasing expressions directed from males to females could be categorized under physical appearance, underestimation, describing the teased target as an animal or something bad, clothing, and academic competence. The reactions of both females and males were the same as their reactions to the first teasing expression were mostly positive, and to the second one were mostly negative. The use of the teasing categories arrived at by the study were attributed to matters of interest among both same-sex and cross-sex. Impact of cultural background, mood, and mixing with others could also play a role in employing a certain teasing category or reaction to a teasing expression.