Publication Date

5-2009

Advisor(s) - Committee Chair

Dr. Steve Groce (Director),Dr. Amy Krull,Dr. Matt Pruitt

Degree Program

Department of Sociology

Degree Type

Master of Arts

Abstract

This study is a qualitative examination of twenty current and former users of marijuana, using in-depth interviews as the units of analysis. The relationship between the participants’ perceived costs and rewards, type and amount of linguistic accounts used, as well as frequency of use are explored using Homans' exchange theory and Lyman and Scott’s theory of accounts. Reasons for continuation, regulation, and cessation of use are also studied. It is found that the participants use marijuana for a varied amount of reasons; these reasons directly influence how they account for their behavior as well as their frequency of use, particularly whether or not they use marijuana on a daily basis.

Disciplines

Quantitative, Qualitative, Comparative, and Historical Methodologies | Social Psychology and Interaction | Sociology

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