Table 1.

Three Levels of Sexual Scripts (Simon & Gagnon, 1984)

Sexual Script	Definition	Example
Cultural scenarios	Reflect culturally shared social norms and values about sexual behavior communicated through gender role norms, mass media, etc.	Gender role norms that men should initiate sexual activity Music video images that show men being sexually active with multiple women
Interpersonal scripts	Reflect how people believe they should enact the cultural scenarios in their sexual behaviors	Using alcohol and/or marijuana as a prelude to sex based on mass media images of this behavior Sequencing of behaviors from “hanging out” to foreplay to sexual intercourse based upon expectations of how such interactions should unfold
Intrapsychic scripts	Reflect individuals’ sexual motives for engaging in sexual behaviors	Making love to demonstrate emotional intimacy with a sexual partner Having sex with many women as a form of sexual conquest