Jove
Visualize
Contact Us
JoVE
x logofacebook logolinkedin logoyoutube logo
ABOUT JoVE
OverviewLeadershipBlogJoVE Help Center
AUTHORS
Publishing ProcessEditorial BoardScope & PoliciesPeer ReviewFAQSubmit
LIBRARIANS
TestimonialsSubscriptionsAccessResourcesLibrary Advisory BoardFAQ
RESEARCH
JoVE JournalMethods CollectionsJoVE Encyclopedia of ExperimentsArchive
EDUCATION
JoVE CoreJoVE BusinessJoVE Science EducationJoVE Lab ManualFaculty Resource CenterFaculty Site
Terms & Conditions of Use
Privacy Policy
Policies

Related Concept Videos

Self-Schemas02:16

Self-Schemas

In general, a schema is a mental construct consisting of a cluster or collection of related concepts (Bartlett, 1932). There are many different types of schemata, and they all have one thing in common: schemata are a method of organizing information that allows the brain to work more efficiently. When a schema is activated, the brain makes immediate assumptions about the person or object being observed.
Self-Discrepancy Theory02:45

Self-Discrepancy Theory

One influential perspective on what motivates people's behavior is detailed in Tory Higgin's self-discrepancy theory (Higgins, 1987). He proposed that people hold disagreeing internal representations of themselves that lead to different emotional states.
Understanding Self-Concept01:20

Understanding Self-Concept

The self-concept encompasses individuals' beliefs about themselves, structured through cognitive frameworks known as self-schemas. These schemas function as mental representations of specific traits or behaviors, influencing how self-relevant information is perceived, processed, and remembered. For example, individuals who are schematic for body weight are more likely to interpret routine experiences—such as dining out or shopping—through the lens of that trait. Conversely, those aschematic for...
Social Foundations of Self IV: Self in Digital Communication01:30

Social Foundations of Self IV: Self in Digital Communication

Since the early 2000s, computer-mediated communication (CMC) has grown rapidly, playing a crucial role in self-development. A key distinction between CMC and real-life interactions is the lack of a physically present partner. This absence makes non-verbal cues such as facial expressions, body language, and paralinguistic signals unavailable in CMC platforms like email, instant messaging, or social media. The lack of these cues can create ambiguity and complicate how feedback is interpreted.The...
Understanding the Self01:28

Understanding the Self

The self is a central aspect of human identity, encompassing an individual’s beliefs, emotions, perceptions, and experiences. It is a cognitive and psychological construct that enables individuals to interpret their traits and behaviors, influencing how they perceive themselves and interact with the world. While personality consists of stable and enduring characteristics, the self is shaped by self-perception and social experiences. This distinction highlights the dynamic nature of the self,...
Relationship Formation02:12

Relationship Formation

What do you think is the single most influential factor in determining with whom you become friends and whom you form romantic relationships? You might be surprised to learn that the answer is simple: the people with whom you have the most contact. This most important factor is proximity. You are more likely to be friends with people you have regular contact with. For example, there are decades of research that shows that you are more likely to become friends with people who live in your dorm,...

You might also read

Related Articles

Articles linked to this work by shared authors, journal, and citation graph.

Sort by
Same author

Being Pure and Being Ashamed: Purity Culture and Sexual Shame Among Survivors of Nonconsensual Sexual Experiences.

Journal of sex research·2026
Same author

A scoping review of the biopsychosocial factors influencing sexual desire in menopause.

Sexual medicine reviews·2026
Same author

Sexual shame: a narrative review.

Sexual medicine reviews·2026
Same author

Predictors of duty sex frequency in women.

The journal of sexual medicine·2024
Same author

Associations among sexual assault, posttraumatic stress, drinking to cope with anxiety, and alcohol use based on gender identity and sexual orientation.

Alcohol, clinical & experimental research·2024
Same author

Time-Perception Deficits in Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis.

Developmental neuropsychology·2023
Same journal

Female Sexual Dysfunction Across Diabetes Types Compared to Non-Diabetic Controls: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis.

Journal of sex & marital therapy·2026
Same journal

Sexual Inhibition Moderates Associations Between Coerced Unwanted Sexual Contact and College Women's BDSM Fantasies.

Journal of sex & marital therapy·2026
Same journal

Correction.

Journal of sex & marital therapy·2026
Same journal

Development of the Perceived Synchrony During Sex Questionnaire (PSSQ).

Journal of sex & marital therapy·2026
Same journal

Couple-Based Interventions on Intimacy Among Cancer Survivors and Their Partners: A Scoping Review.

Journal of sex & marital therapy·2026
Same journal

Exploring the Psychological Mechanisms of Gender Transition and Detransition.

Journal of sex & marital therapy·2026
See all related articles
  1. Home
  3. Sexual Self-schemas Across Midlife: Examining Differences Using Computerized Text Analysis.
  1. Home
  3. Sexual Self-schemas Across Midlife: Examining Differences Using Computerized Text Analysis.

Related Experiment Video

Validation of a Psychosocial Intervention on Body Image in Older People: An Experimental Design
07:40

Validation of a Psychosocial Intervention on Body Image in Older People: An Experimental Design

Published on: May 31, 2021

Sexual self-schemas across midlife: examining differences using computerized text analysis.

Kate B Metcalfe1, Chelsea D Kilimnik2, Cindy M Meston1

  • 1Department of Psychology, University of Texas at Austin, Austin, TX, USA.

Journal of Sex & Marital Therapy
|June 19, 2026

View abstract on PubMed

Summary
This summary is machine-generated.

Sexual schemas evolve with age, influencing well-being. Older women emphasize relationship progression and past abuse, while younger women focus more on sexual pleasure and self-identity shifts, with sexual function playing a key role.

More Related Videos

Multimodal Protocol for Assessing Metacognition and Self-Regulation in Adults with Learning Difficulties
12:55

Multimodal Protocol for Assessing Metacognition and Self-Regulation in Adults with Learning Difficulties

Published on: September 27, 2020

Related Experiment Videos

Validation of a Psychosocial Intervention on Body Image in Older People: An Experimental Design
07:40

Validation of a Psychosocial Intervention on Body Image in Older People: An Experimental Design

Published on: May 31, 2021

Multimodal Protocol for Assessing Metacognition and Self-Regulation in Adults with Learning Difficulties
12:55

Multimodal Protocol for Assessing Metacognition and Self-Regulation in Adults with Learning Difficulties

Published on: September 27, 2020

Area of Science:

  • Psychology
  • Sociology
  • Gerontology

Background:

  • Aging involves biopsychosocial changes impacting self-perception.
  • Sexual schemas, or views of oneself as a sexual being, are crucial for sexual and overall well-being.
  • Understanding age-related shifts in sexual schemas is vital.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate age-related differences in sexual schema themes.
  • To explore the influence of sexual function on these themes.
  • To analyze how sexual schemas evolve across the lifespan.

Main Methods:

  • 206 participants completed essays detailing their sexual schemas.
  • Computerized text analysis identified seven central themes.
  • Group comparisons were made between early-midlife (30-45) and late-midlife (51-78) women, analyzing sexual function's impact.

Main Results:

  • Late-midlife women showed higher prominence of relationship progressions and past abuse themes compared to early-midlife women.
  • Late-midlife women reported lower prominence of sexual pleasure and self-identity changes, though sexual function moderated these differences.
  • Emotional connection and sexual debut themes did not differ significantly by age group.

Conclusions:

  • Sexual schemas demonstrate evolution across the adult lifespan.
  • These evolving schemas may be influenced by, or influence, sexual function.
  • Findings highlight the dynamic nature of sexuality and self-perception in aging.