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The Impact of Performance-Based Scripts on Men’s Sexual Communication to Peers

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Abstract

Gender norms related to sexual behavior have a pervasive impact on the psychosocial development of men. These norms have been theorized to influence the formation of male sexual scripts, including those that place high emphasis on performative abilities. While research has indicated that endorsing performance-based scripts can have negative consequences, little work has examined how this sexual ideology is communicated by men to their peer groups. Using structural equation modeling, the current study tested a model of openness to communicate sexual behavior that is incongruent with existing performance-based scripts. A sample of 424 men were recruited from a variety of Internet platforms to participate in a one-time online survey. Results demonstrated that endorsing performance-based scripts impeded men’s ability to discuss sexual behavior with male peers, female peers, and sexual partners. Men’s lack of transparency about particular sexual experiences may be contributing to harmful narratives that rigidly emphasize sexual performance.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Psychology, Clark University, 950 Main Street, Worcester, MA, 01610, USA

    Jonathan D. Jampel & Michael E. Addis

Authors
  1. Jonathan D. Jampel
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  2. Michael E. Addis
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Corresponding author

Correspondence to Jonathan D. Jampel.

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Conflict of interest

The authors declare that they have no conflicts of interest.

Ethical Standard

Informed consent was obtained from all individual participants included in the study. The authors declare that we have no conflicts of interest. All procedures involving human participants were in accordance with the ethical standards of the institutional research committee (IRB study protocol number: 2016-049A) and with the 1964 Helsinki declaration and its later amendments or comparable ethical standards.

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Appendices

Appendix 1: Endorsement of Performance-Based Scripts Scale

Instructions: The following statements relate to attitudes and beliefs that some people have about sex. Please indicate how much you agree or disagree with each statement.

  1. 1.

    Good sex should be spontaneous with no planning or talking.

  2. 2.

    I should know how to sexually satisfy my partner without asking.

  3. 3.

    If my partner is not completely satisfied, sex cannot be good.

  4. 4.

    If my partner doesn’t orgasm, sex is not successful.

  5. 5.

    I should be up for having sex regardless of how I am feeling.

  6. 6.

    My sex drive should be greater than my partner’s.

  7. 7.

    Without a solid erection, sex cannot be satisfying.

  8. 8.

    The size of my penis is crucial in pleasing my partner.

  9. 9.

    Good sex requires an ability to “last” long periods of time.

  10. 10.

    Stamina is crucial for good sex to occur.

  11. 11.

    It’s my job to be the dominant sexual partner.

  12. 12.

    Good sex requires that I take the lead in the bedroom.

Appendix 2: Script-Incongruent Sexual Behavior Vignettes

Instructions: In the following questions, you will be asked about sexual experiences that may or may not have happened to you. These experiences can have happened with either steady or casual partners that you have sex with.

I’m having sex with my partner, and it seems like they are not fully into the experience. They have to tell me to try something different in order to get them more aroused.

I’m having sex with my partner, who is having difficulty reaching climax. The sex ends without them having an orgasm.

I’ve had a stressful day, and don’t feel like having sex with my partner. Though they indicate to me that they want to have sex, I tell them that I am not in the mood.

I’m caressing my partner, and they appear aroused and ready for intercourse. However, upon attempting intercourse, I am unable to maintain a solid erection and sex is not possible.

I am having intercourse with my partner and it appears that they are close to orgasm. However, I reach climax before they do and the sex ends abruptly.

While I typically take control during sex, the partner I am with expresses a desire to take the lead in the bedroom. The idea of my partner being in control makes me uncomfortable.

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Jampel, J.D., Addis, M.E. The Impact of Performance-Based Scripts on Men’s Sexual Communication to Peers. Arch Sex Behav 50, 2703–2715 (2021). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10508-021-01980-3

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