Sexual script theory

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Sexual script theory is a sociological theory that states that sexual behavior is socially scripted, meaning that individuals follow social norms that inform their actions and perceptions. Under sexual script theory, different individuals—such as men and women—are assumed to have different expected roles in sexual situations, and to act in alignment with their expected roles. The term sexual script refers to the social guidelines that dictate, similar to how the script of a play dictates to an actor, how individuals should understand sexual situations, and how they should act in those situations. Individuals may agree or disagree with sexual scripts. Among other influences, these guidelines are shaped by the law, stereotypes (especially gender stereotypes), and media including pornography. Based in social constructionism, sexual script theory was first developed by American sociologists John H. Gagnon and William Simon in their 1973 book Sexual Conduct. Research on sexual script theory has found that major sexual scripts are gendered, and often especially pertain to adolescents and young adults. Research has also found that sexual scripts can be used to understand issues related to sexual health and consent.