Matt Buhen
From Drmills
Contributor: Matt Buhen
Class: Psychology 310
Topic: Male and Female Sex Scripts, Intentions, and Perceptions
Throughout the course, a massive amount of information regarding the differences and similarities between males and females has been presented. One such piece of information that shows significant differences between the genders is that of sexual scripts. By definition, a sexual script would refer to the societal assumptions placed upon specific behaviors from an individual. In other words, the actions taken by a male or a female with regards to a member of the opposite sex in which they are seeking a sexual encounter. Due to assumed differences reinforced by society, sexual scripts have developed differently for males and females. While these scripts give hints at the sexual advances or withdrawals from both genders, the intention of these advances and withdrawals as well as their perception have shown to be both representative and misrepresentative. Current research reinforces the ideology that sexual scripts are used in modern society, but also suggests that these scripts may not always be conventional.
In a report by Michael W. Wiederman (2005) of Columbia College titled “The Gendered Nature of Sexual Scripts”, a parallel is drawn between the scripts that an actor or actress might use while performing in a theatre to direct their actions on stage. For males and females, sex scripts provide guidelines for how to behave in regards to themselves as well as members of the opposite gender during interaction. Wiederman points out the distinctive difference for sexual scripts for boys and girls at young ages and how these implications are carried over to adulthood. For young boys growing into adulthood, an emphasis is placed on the physical experience. This ideology helps to explain why males tend to masturbate more frequently than women and begin masturbating at a younger age. Incorporating this physical script into the mainstream perception of males as dominant, assertive, and risk taking builds a profile of a male who’s intentions are to be aggressive in hinting towards sexual intercourse for the physical rewards. In opposition females are brought up with the role of limitation and emotional reward. For a female, the ability to limit the sexual successiveness of a male is emphasized. Interestingly society suggests that females, despite any true feelings or urges, should always be less eager to have sexual relations with a male to ensure that her character is not diminished. With these default sexual scripts in place, a very specific pattern of approach, initiation, and sexual behavior is put in place for both males and females. However, generic scripts may not be the only scripts applied.
The research article, “Actual Verus Desired Initiation Patterns Among a Sample of College Men: Tapping Disjunctures Within Traditional Male Sexual Scripts” by Shari Dworkin and Lucia O’Sullivan (2005) tested the scripts of 32 community college males, producing evidence that the sexual script of aggressive male and submissive female is not always the standard. Within the study, participants were asked what the structure of sexual initiation was in their respective relationships. Three patterns were found throughout the sample. Eighteen of the participants reported they were the initiators of sexual interaction in their relationships, however thirteen of these eighteen expressed that they would rather have their female partner initiate more sexual encounters. Eight of the participants reported their female partner was more initiative in sexual encounters, however four of these individuals expressed a desire to have a more equally distributed sexual initiation. Finally six participants reported having an equal distribution of sexual initiation by themselves and their partners. While the majority of participants responded that they were the initiators of any sexual activity, it is interesting that more than half of those individuals would have preferred their female partner to be more initiative. This suggests that while the dominant male script is still within the majority, an increasingly higher amount of individuals would prefer a reversed or equalized sexual script.
Perception of sexual contact plays a very important role in the setup and execution of sexual scripts on the part of both males and females. A study conducted by Peter B. Anderson and William Sorensen (1999) entitled “Male and Female Differences In Reports of Women’s Heterosexual Initiation and Aggression” tested the differences between the perception of males and females with regard to how sexual interactions played out. In the study both women and men were administered questionnaires to report on the processes of previous sexual encounters. The results of the study supported the researchers’ original hypothesis that men and women would report differently on these situations. In all but one of the questions, men reported that women had initiated more sexual encounters and were more aggressive. In contrast, women reported very little initiation and aggression. The results suggest that men perceive women as more initiative and aggressive than they in fact are. Having these preconceived notions may influence the sexual script of both genders, with particular impact on males and they ways in which they approach females.
Sexual scripts are generically established with the conclusion that males are the assertive and motivated initiators and females are the submissive and conditional rein forcers, however it is also important to examine the effects of taking these sexual scripts to an extreme. While a normal sexual script for a male suggests assertiveness, overly assertive behavior may result in sexual assault or rape on the part of the male. Interestingly, a seemingly trivial fact regarding the possession of a condom creates great differences in the perception and intent for both the male and female individuals. Hynie, Schuller, and Couperthwaite (2003) discuss in their study “Perceptions of Sexual Intent: The Impact of Condom Possession” that a difference exists between a male who keeps a condom in his possession and a female who behaves in the same manner.
In the study, a vignette was created depicted a male and female character that had a dialogue interaction at a coffee shop where the male character either becomes aware or does not become aware that she has a condom in her bag. After, a second vignette was produced where the two individuals were inside of the female character’s house sitting on the couch watching TV. The female character leans on the male character’s shoulder and the two then begin kissing. Eventually the male character begins to remove the female characters clothing to which she objects. He continues and suggests to her that he likes her and that he will use a condom, implying that she has nothing to worry about and should play along. Afterwards, participants were presented with 15 items to assess the perception of what had happened in the vignette. The researchers found that in the scenario where the female character was carrying a condom, she was perceived as more willing to engage in sexual activity and subsequently there was a less likely chance of rape or sexual assault occurring due to her willingness. These results suggest that despite the sexual scripts of naturally aggressive males, females who are precautious and prepared for a sexual encounter provoke an even more aggressive approach due to their improperly perceived willingness to have sex.
Current research on the study of sexual scripts is far from complete, as confounds within all of the studies mentioned may limit the generalization of the findings. However, the research does indicate that sexual scripts for both males and females do exist. Furthermore, deviations of conventional sex scripts appear to occur despite the socially reinforced typical assertive male and submissive female scripts. Finally, research suggests that subtle information may be incorporated and influential to how both males and females setup and execute their gender specific and individual sex scripts.
References
Anderson, P., Sorensen, W. (1999). Male and Female Differences in Reports of Women’s Heterosexual Initiation and Aggression. Archives of Sexual Behavior, 28(3), 243-253.
Dworkin, S., O’Sullivan, L. (2005). Actual versus Desired Initiation Patterns among a Sample of college Men: Tapping Disjunctures within Traditional Male Sexual Scripts. The Journal of Sex Research, 42(2), 150-158.
Hynie, M., Schuller, R., Couperthwaite, L. (2003). Perceptions of Sexual Intent: The Impact of Condom Possession. Psychology of Women Quarterly. 27(1), 75-79.
Wiederman, M. (2005). The Gendered Nature of Sexual Scripts. The Family Journal, 13(4), 496-502.
Rating scale:
Ratings ( 1 - 5):
- found appropriate research references relevant to a topic 5
- discovered, integrated and synthesized relevant information about the topic 4
- writing is of high quality: interesting, flows, analytic, organized 4
- used APA style referencing appropriately (including reference list) 4
- inlcuded as a list of web links to the original articles cited (if available), andincluded a list of additional resources relevant to the topic on the web 3
Total points: 20
