New edition of an authoritative guide to human sexual behavior from a biopsychosocial perspective
The Psychology of Human Sexuality is a comprehensive guide to major theoretical perspectives on human sexuality and the vast diversity of sexual attitudes and behaviors around the world, with broad coverage of topics including anatomy, gender and sexual orientation, sexual behaviors, sexual difficulties and solutions, sex work and pornography. Written from a sex-positive perspective with material that is inclusive and respectful of a diverse audience, the text includes cutting edge research on the origins of sexual orientation and gender identity, as well as new treatments for sexually transmitted infections and diseases.
To aid in student learning, the text is accompanied by online resources, including a test bank and instructor slides. Separate chapters deal with attraction and relationship processes.
The Psychology of Human Sexuality includes information on: - Sex science studies that researchers have failed to reliably replicate since the 2nd Edition was published, and the broader “replication crisis” in psychology - “Graysexual” identities that fall on the spectrum between allosexual and asexual, and the sex recession of modern times - Recent studies that shed light on sexual behavior in cultures that have previously been the subject of very little study - Sex and disability, and “take-home messages” to allow readers to implement beneficial changes in their lives
An important and comprehensive text that provides readers with a better understanding of, and appreciation for, the science of sex and sexual diversity, The Psychology of Human Sexuality is an essential resource for students of human sexuality in both intermediate and advanced undergraduate courses.
Table of Contents
About the Author xi
Foreplay xii
List of Illustrations xiv
List of Text Boxes xxi
List of Tables xxiii
About the Companion Website xxiv
1 Theoretical Perspectives on Human Sexuality 1
Introduction 2
What Drives Us to Have Sex? 2
Psychological Influences 2
Cultural, Societal, and Environmental Influences 3
Biological and Evolutionary Influences 6
Major Theoretical Perspectives on Human Sexuality 7
Psychoanalytic Theory 7
Cognitive-Behavioral and Learning Theories 8
Exchange Theories 12
Personality Theories 12
Evolutionary Theory 15
The Perspective of This Text 16
Key Terms 18
Discussion Questions: What Is Your Perspective on Sex? 18
References 18
2 Sexology Research: History, Methods, and Ethics 21
Introduction 22
A Brief History of Sexology 22
Hidden Figures in Sexology 25
Sexology as a Science 26
Sample Selection 27
Nonexperimental Research 28
Surveys 28
Direct Observation 31
Case Reports 35
Experimental Research 35
A Sample Sexperiment 35
Strengths and Limitations of the Experimental Method 36
A Note on Statistics 36
Means and Medians 36
Incidence and Prevalence 37
Correlation 37
Ethics in Sexology Research 38
Informed Consent 40
Debriefing 40
Confidentiality 41
How Reliable Are the Results of Sex Studies? 42
Evaluating Sex Research 42
Key Terms 43
Discussion Questions: What Is Your Perspective on Sex? 43
References 43
3 Human Sexual Anatomy 46
Introduction 47
Anatomy of the Penis 47
A Historical and Cultural Overview of the Penis 47
External Anatomy 48
Internal Anatomy 52
Psychology of the Penis: Genital Concerns 54
Genital Health Issues 55
Anatomy of the Vulva 56
A Historical and Cultural Overview of the Vulva 56
External Anatomy 56
Internal Anatomy 60
Breasts 62
Psychology of the Breasts and Vulva: Bodily Concerns 63
Breast and Genital Health Issues 65
Conclusions 68
Key Terms 68
Discussion Questions: What Is Your Perspective on Sex? 68
References 68
4 Human Sexual Response: Understanding Arousal and Orgasm 72
Introduction 73
Factors That Influence Sexual Arousal 73
The Brain 73
The Senses 74
Hormones 81
Substances 84
The Sexual Response Cycle 87
The Masters and Johnson Model 87
Psychological Models of Sexual Response 92
Key Terms 93
Discussion Questions: What Is Your Perspective on Sex? 93
References 94
5 Gender and Gender Identity 98
Introduction 98
Biological Influences on Gender Identity and Sexuality 100
Biological Sex Variations 101
Psychosocial Influences on Gender Identity and Sexuality 106
Social Interactions and Norms 106
Physical Environments 107
Media 108
Gender Diversity: Variations in Gender Expression 108
Transgender Persons and Gender Dysphoria 110
Cross-Dressing 115
Other Gender Diverse Identities 116
Just How Different Are Men and Women? 116
Sex Differences in Psychology 116
Sex Differences in Sexuality and Attitudes Toward Sex 117
Key Terms 118
Discussion Questions: What is Your Perspective on Sex? 118
References 118
6 Sexual Orientation 123
Introduction 124
Sexual Orientation: Definitions and Types 124
Measurement and Prevalence 125
Theories of Sexual Orientation 128
Early Psychological Theories 128
Biological and Hormonal Theories 129
Evolutionary Theories 131
Biopsychosocial Theories 132
Sex Differences in the Expression of Sexual Orientation 135
Sexual Orientation Attitudes 137
Prejudice Against Sexual Minority Persons 137
Sexual Orientation in Psychological Perspective 140
Sexual Orientation Myths 142
Key Terms 144
Discussion Questions: What is Your Perspective on Sex? 145
References 145
7 The Laws of Attraction 149
Introduction 150
What Attracts us to Other People? 150
Affective/Mood Influences 151
Propinquity 153
Similarity 154
Scarcity 156
Physiological Arousal 157
Neurochemical Factors 158
Physical Attractiveness 158
Other Factors Involved in Attraction 159
Attraction Processes among LGBTQ+ Persons 160
Why are Men and Women Attracted to Different Characteristics? 161
Evolutionary Theory 161
Social Structural Perspectives 164
Key Terms 167
Discussion Questions: What Is Your Perspective on Sex? 167
References 167
8 Intimate Relationships: Sex, Love, and Commitment 171
Introduction 172
Singlehood and Casual Relationships 172
Sexuality Among Singles 172
Hookups 174
Friends with Benefits 174
Singles’ Sexual Outcomes 175
Love and Committed Relationships 177
The Nature of Love 177
The Nature of Commitment 181
Varieties of Loving and Committed Relationships 183
What Makes a Relationship Last? 188
Characteristics of Good Relationships 188
The Dark Side of Relationships 191
Coping with Breakup 195
Key Terms 195
Discussion Questions: What Is Your Perspective on Sex? 196
References 196
9 Sexual Behaviors 201
Introduction 202
Solitary Sexual Behaviors 202
Asexuality and Celibacy 202
Sexual Fantasy 204
Masturbation 207
Partnered Sexual Behaviors 210
Kissing 211
Touching 212
Oral Sex 213
Vaginal Intercourse 213
Anal Sex 214
LGBTQ+ Sexual Behaviors 215
Sex with Three, or Four, or More 216
Frequency and Benefits of Sex and Orgasm 218
Sexual Behavior in Psychological Perspective 220
Self-Regulation 220
Attachment Style 221
Mortality Salience 222
Key Terms 222
Discussion Questions: What Is Your Perspective on Sex? 222
References 223
10 Lifespan Sexual Development 227
Introduction 228
Sexual Development from Infancy Through Adolescence 228
Infancy and Childhood 228
Puberty 230
Adolescence 231
Biopsychosocial Influences on Teenage Sexual Activity 234
Implications of Early or Late Sexual Development 236
Sexuality and Aging 237
Biopsychosocial Influences on the Sexual Activities of Older Adults 240
Key Terms 242
Discussion Questions: What Is Your Perspective on Sex? 242
References 243
11 Sex Education, Contraception, and Pregnancy 246
Introduction 247
Sex Education 247
Sex Education in Cross-Cultural Perspective 251
Contraception 252
History 252
Types of Contraceptives 253
Choosing the Right Contraceptive 261
Pregnancy 261
The Psychology of Trying to Have a Baby 261
Psychological Changes during Pregnancy and after Birth 262
Abortion 263
Key Terms 264
Discussion Questions: What Is Your Perspective on Sex? 264
References 264
12 Sexually Transmitted Infections and Safer-Sex Practices 268
Introduction 269
Sexually Transmitted Infections 269
Bacterial Infections 270
Viral Infections 272
Other Infections 277
Factors that Increase the Spread of STIs 277
Biological 277
Psychological 278
Social and Environmental 279
The Psychological Impact of STIs 281
Implications for Romantic and Sexual Relationships 281
Preventing Infection 282
Key Terms 284
Discussion Questions: What Is Your Perspective on Sex? 285
References 285
13 Sexual Dysfunction and Sex Therapy 288
Introduction 289
Causes of Sex Difficulties 289
Biological 289
Psychological 290
Social 292
Types of Sexual Dysfunction 293
Desire Problems 293
Arousal Problems 296
Orgasm Problems 296
Pain Disorders 297
Sex Therapy 298
Schools of Thought 298
Specific Treatments 301
Tips for Avoiding Sexual Difficulties 306
Key Terms 307
Discussion Questions: What Is Your Perspective on Sex? 307
References 307
14 Variations in Sexual Behavior 311
Introduction 312
What Are Paraphilias? 312
Types of Paraphilias 313
Fetishism 314
Transvestism/Erotic Cross-Dressing 317
Sadomasochism 318
Voyeurism 319
Exhibitionism 321
Pedophilia 322
Other Paraphilias 323
Paraphilia Controversies 327
Treatment of Paraphilic Disorders 327
Medical Therapies 327
Psychological Therapies 328
Social Skills Training 328
Effectiveness 328
Key Terms 329
Discussion Questions: What Is Your Perspective on Sex? 329
References 329
15 Sex Laws, Sexual Victimization, and the Sexual Marketplace 332
Introduction 333
A Brief History of Sex Laws 333
Sexual Consent 334
Nonconsensual Sex: Sexual Coercion and Violence 335
Sexual Assault 335
Child Sexual Abuse 337
Sexual Harassment 339
The Sexual Marketplace 341
Prostitution 341
Sex Trafficking 344
Pornography 345
Key Terms 353
Discussion Questions: What Is Your Perspective on Sex? 353
References 353
Epilogue 357
Glossary 358
Index 367
