Let’s think about sex

Our close relationships are vital to our overall well-being, and the quality of our sexual relationships is an important component of a happy romantic relationship.

In this talk Dr Jessica Maxwell will illustrate the utility of applying social cognition concepts (including implicit theories, biased perceptions, and implicit evaluations) to understand how sex affects our relational, and overall well-being.

Specifically, Dr Maxwell introduces the Dual Process Sexual Evaluation Model to explain how positive sexual experiences may generate positive affect and lead to subsequent positive relationship evaluations, and the critical moderating role of motivational factors in this process. She will discuss factors that buffer normative declines in couple’s sexual relationships, and how individual differences shape the role sexual satisfaction plays in life satisfaction.

Overall, this talk will shed light on how the sexual aspect of couple’s relationships may contribute to couple’s well-being.