Sexual Communication in Interpersonal Contexts: A Script-Based Approach

TLDR

Sexual communication guides partner selection and negotiation of sexual relations, with most cultures developing standard expectancies and practices that function as scripts outlining content, sequence, and boundaries of appropriate behavior. The chapter reviews research on sexual scripts to assess their descriptive and explanatory value for communication and sexual relations. The authors conduct a literature review of studies on sexual scripts, synthesizing findings on their role in communication and sexual interactions. The review finds that sexual scripts expose both competent and incompetent influences during sexual interactions.

Abstract

Sexual communication is the means by which individuals come to select potential partners for sexual relations, and through which the meanings, functions, and effects of sexual relations are negotiated. Most cultures, relationships, and individuals develop standard expectancies and practices through which sexual relations are initiated and completed. These standard expectancies and practices can be viewed as scripts that identify some degree of the content, sequence, and boundaries of appropriate behavior for pursuing, negotiating, and enacting the sexual act. This chapter reviews the research relevant to sexual scripts as well as their descriptive and explanatory value in depicting communication and sexual relations. Scripts are shown to reveal both competent and incompetent influences in the unfolding of sexual interactions.