Sexual Scripts & Eroticism

Human Sexuality
Professor Henry Schissler
Eroticism: Bio-Psycho-Social Perspectives


We are a unique combination of biological, psychological, and socio- environmental dynamics. We need to understand these various aspects of self in order to be able to articulate the complexities of our sexuality. Specific aspects of biological based sexual “need,” including brain neurotransmitters, are covered in a separate handout.


1) Sexual Scripts – general and specific attitudes concerning what constitutes acceptable sexual activity; sexual standards that guide sexual behaviors; sexual scripts are internalized by individuals from societal and cultural values and norms

Sexual Scripts That Influence Sexual Interactions of Singles –

• Abstinence Script – set of sexual standards that prohibit “sexual activity” prior to marriage

• Permissiveness With Affection Script – common Western standard that views sexual activity between unmarried persons as acceptable as long as there is an emotional bond between them

• Permissiveness Without Affection Script – sexual activity without emotional involvement is acceptable under certain circumstances, as in “casual sex”

• Double Standard Script – different sexual standards apply to the sexes, and the expectation that women will be more sexually restrained than men



Societies and cultures have dissimilar sexual scripts. Various socio-environmental factors influence the emergence of differences. Different generations, societies, and members of social classes might answer this question differently – what is sex?



2) Eroticism: The Driving Force Behind Sexual Arousal and Response

Erotic – associated with sensual and/or sexual pleasures

Sexual Value System – the sum of all thoughts, feelings, and behaviors (or stimuli) that have an erotic meaning for a particular individual; underlying beliefs about what is attractive or exciting

Our environment is full of sexual signs, symbols, and stimuli. Our interpretation of this information has a major role in sexual interest, arousal, or responsiveness.

Flirting has elements of sexual assertiveness, is overt, implies invitation, and has an element of playfulness about it. Flirting is basically nonverbal and especially appealing if unconventional or creative

Sexual Fantasies are a normal, creative avenue of experiencing sexual desire and in some ways help people mentally “rehearse” situations that may actually come about; fantasies may occur during sexual encounters, masturbation, or at other times, “erotic daydreaming”

Most Common Sexual Fantasy Themes

For Women
• Emphasis on nurturant touching, feeling, and caressing and partner arousal
• Mental focus on physical arousal & feelings of emotional closeness
• Mental images of a former or current sexual partner; far less often, metal images of a “fantasy partner”
• Passive role in sexual behaviors – partner is doing something to them
• Romantic thoughts & feelings involving love & devotion

For Men
• Impersonal sexual behaviors
• High level of visual imagery – less focus on feelings & emotions
• Sex involving little or no foreplay, proceeding quickly to oral sex or intercourse
• Visual focus on specific parts of partner’s body
• Sexual activity with great variety of partners (including “fantasy partners”)
• Group sexual interactions
• Focus on specific sexual acts, i.e. fellatio

Taking Personal Responsibility For Our Sexuality is another aspect of sexual desire and eroticism.

• a person feels comfortable making sexual preferences & standards known to partner(s) without fear of being evaluated or judged
• a person feels deserving of the enjoyment of sexual pleasure
• a person recognizes how broad and diversified sexual responsiveness actually is

A Climate of Psychological Safety can enhance sexual experiences

• they approach a sexual experience willingly, willfully, and without any suggestion of coercion or force
• they feel comfortable discussing sexual issues before, during, and after they have sex
• they do not ignore misunderstandings or incompatibilities that may emerge in any aspect of the relationship
• they do not feel judged, and enjoy “unconditional positive regard”
• they feel that they can be independent and still be part of a couple at the same time

3) Sensation and Perception

Sensation – the process by which an organism responds to a stimulus

Perception – the sorting out, interpretation, analysis, and integration of stimuli involving our sense organs and brain

Preattentive Stage – the stage of perception that takes little or no conscious effort and that focuses on the general physical features of the stimulus

Focused-Attention Stage – the stage of perception when attention is paid to particular features of an object

Extrasensory Perception – perception that does not involve our known senses