Acquaintance rape has been found to occur with disturbing frequency in an adolescents' social world. Unlike stranger rape, acquaintance rape, particularly dating rape, takes place in the context of normal social activity. In 1978, 432 adolescents, ages 14-18, were interviewed in the Los Angeles area: half male, and half female, and one-third drawn from each of the three major ethnic groups--Blacks, Hispanics, and other Whites. Attitudes toward the opposite sex, sexuality, sex roles, rape, power, and violence, along with behavioral expectations, perceptions and norms about dating were measured, as were sex differences in the acquisition of attitudes and expectations. The results showed that boys and girls possessed different perceptions of what interpersonal cues signaled sexuality, and when, if ever, sexual assault was justified. These differential perceptions pointed to potential conflict between possible dating couples, and were related to views of sexuality, power, sex roles, and rape. Suggestions were made as to possible research and intervention to facilitate positive socialization outcomes. (Author)