Table of Contents
About the Author xiii
Foreplay xv
Illustrations xvii
Text Boxes xvii
Tables xxix
About the Companion Website xxxi
1 Theoretical Perspectives on Human Sexuality 1
Introduction 2
What Drives Us to Have Sex? 2
Psychological Influences 2
Cultural and Societal Influences 3
Biological and Evolutionary Influences 6
Major Theoretical Perspectives on Human Sexuality 8
Psychoanalytic Theory 8
Cognitive-Behavioral and Learning Theories 10
Exchange Theories 14
Personality Theories 15
Evolutionary Theory 18
The Perspective of This Text 20
Key Terms 22
Discussion Questions: What is Your Perspective on Sex? 22
References 22
2 Sexology Research: History, Methods, and Ethics 26
Introduction 27
A Brief History of Sexology 28
Sexology as a Science 31
Sample Selection 32
Nonexperimental Research 33
Surveys 33
Direct Observation 37
Case Reports 41
Experimental Research 42
A Sample Sexperiment 42
Strengths and Limitations of the Experimental Method 43
A Note on Statistics 43
Means and Medians 43
Incidence and Prevalence 44
Correlation 44
Ethics in Sexology Research 44
Informed Consent 48
Debriefing 48
Confidentiality 49
Evaluating Sex Research 50
Key Terms 51
Discussion Questions: What is Your Perspective on Sex? 51
References 51
3 Human Sexual Anatomy 54
Introduction 55
Male Sexual Anatomy 55
A Historical and Cultural Overview of the Penis 55
External Anatomy 56
Internal Anatomy 60
Psychology of the Penis: Male Genital Concerns 63
Male Genital Health Issues 65
Female Sexual Anatomy 66
A Historical and Cultural Overview of the Vulva 66
External Anatomy 67
Internal Anatomy 72
Breasts 74
Psychology of the Breasts and Vulva: Female Bodily Concerns 75
Female Breast and Genital Health Issues 78
Conclusions 81
Key Terms 82
Discussion Questions: What is Your Perspective on Sex? 82
References 82
4 Human Sexual Response: Understanding Arousal and Orgasm 87
Introduction 88
Factors That Influence Sexual Arousal 88
The Brain 88
The Senses 90
Hormones 98
Substances 102
The Sexual Response Cycle 105
The Masters and Johnson Model 105
Psychological Models of Sexual Response 110
Key Terms 112
Discussion Questions: What is Your Perspective on Sex? 112
References 112
5 Gender and Gender Identity 117
Introduction 117
Biological Influences on Gender Identity and Sexuality 119
Biological Sex Variations 121
Psychosocial Influences on Gender Identity and Sexuality 126
Social Interactions and Norms 126
Physical Environments 128
Media 128
Variations in Gender Expression 130
Transsexualism 130
Cross-Dressing 136
Other Identities 137
Just How Different Are Men and Women? 137
Sex Differences in Psychology 138
Sex Differences in Sexuality and Attitudes Toward Sex 138
Key Terms 140
Discussion Questions: What is Your Perspective on Sex? 140
References 140
6 Sexual Orientation 145
Introduction 146
Sexual Orientation: Definitions and Types 146
Measurement and Prevalence 147
Theories of Sexual Orientation 150
Early Psychological Theories 151
Biological and Hormonal Theories 151
Evolutionary Theories 153
Biopsychosocial Theories 155
Sex Differences in the Expression of Sexual Orientation 158
Sexual Orientation Attitudes 161
Prejudice Against Gay, Lesbian, and Bisexual Persons 161
Sexual Orientation in Psychological Perspective 166
Sexual Orientation Myths 167
Key Terms 170
Discussion Questions: What is Your Perspective on Sex? 170
References 170
7 The Laws of Attraction 175
Introduction 176
What Attracts Us To Other People? 176
Affective Influences 177
Propinquity 179
Similarity 181
Scarcity 183
Physiological Arousal 184
Neurochemical Factors 185
Physical Attractiveness 185
Other Factors Involved in Attraction 187
Attraction Processes among Gay Men and Lesbians 188
Why Are Men and Women Attracted to Different Characteristics? 189
Evolutionary Theory 189
Social Structural Perspectives 192
Key Terms 195
Discussion Questions: What is Your Perspective on Sex? 196
References 196
8 Intimate Relationships: Sex, Love, and Commitment 200
Introduction 201
Singlehood and Casual Relationships 201
Sexuality Among Singles 201
Hookups 203
Friends with Benefits 204
Singles’ Sexual Outcomes 204
Love and Committed Relationships 207
The Nature of Love 207
The Nature of Commitment 212
Varieties of Loving and Committed Relationships 214
Why Do Some Relationships Succeed While Others Fail? 220
Characteristics of Good Relationships 220
The Dark Side of Relationships 223
Coping with Breakup 229
Key Terms 229
Discussion Questions: What is Your Perspective on Sex? 229
References 230
9 Sexual Behaviors 235
Introduction 236
Solitary Sexual Behaviors 236
Asexuality and Celibacy 236
Sexual Fantasy 238
Masturbation 241
Partnered Sexual Behaviors 246
Kissing 246
Touching 248
Oral Sex 248
Vaginal Intercourse 249
Anal Sex 250
Same-Sex Behaviors 251
Sex With Three, or Four, or More 252
Frequency and Benefits of Sex and Orgasm 255
Sexual Behavior in Psychological Perspective 257
Self-Regulation 257
Attachment Style 259
Mortality Salience 259
Key Terms 260
Discussion Questions: What is Your Perspective on Sex? 260
References 260
10 Lifespan Sexual Development 265
Introduction 265
Sexual Development From Infancy Through Adolescence 267
Infancy and Childhood 267
Puberty 268
Adolescence 270
Biopsychosocial Influences on Teenage Sexual Activity 273
Implications of Early or Late Sexual Development 274
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Contents xi
Sexuality and Aging 277
Biopsychosocial Influences on the Sexual Activities of Older Adults 281
Key Terms 283
Discussion Questions: What is Your Perspective on Sex? 283
References 283
11 Sex Education, Contraception, and Pregnancy 287
Introduction 288
Sex Education 288
Sex Education in Cross-Cultural Perspective 293
Contraception 294
History 294
Types of Contraceptives 295
Choosing the Right Contraceptive 303
Pregnancy 304
The Psychology of Trying to Have a Baby 305
Psychological Changes During Pregnancy and After Birth 306
Abortion 306
Key Terms 307
Discussion Questions: What is Your Perspective on Sex? 308
References 308
12 Sexually Transmitted Infections and Safer-Sex Practices 312
Introduction 313
Sexually Transmitted Infections 313
Bacterial Infections 314
Viral Infections 317
Other Infections 322
Factors That Increase the Spread of STIs 323
Biological 323
Psychological 324
Social and Environmental 326
The Psychological Impact of STIs 327
Implications for Romantic and Sexual Relationships 328
Preventing Infection 329
Key Terms 332
Discussion Questions: What is Your Perspective on Sex? 332
References 332
13 Sexual Dysfunction and Sex Therapy 336
Introduction 337
Causes of Sex Difficulties 337
Biological 337
Psychological 338
Social 341
Types of Sexual Dysfunction 342
Desire Problems 342
Arousal Problems 344
Orgasm Problems 346
Pain Disorders 347
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xii Contents
Sex Therapy 348
Schools of Thought 348
Specific Treatments 352
Tips For Avoiding Sexual Difficulties 358
Key Terms 359
Discussion Questions: What is Your Perspective on Sex? 359
References 359
14 Variations in Sexual Behavior 363
Introduction 364
What are Paraphilias? 364
Types of Paraphilias 366
Fetishism 366
Transvestism 368
Sadomasochism 371
Voyeurism 373
Exhibitionism 375
Pedophilia 376
Other Paraphilias 377
Paraphilia Controversies 381
Treatment of Paraphilic Disorders 382
Medical Therapies 382
Psychological Therapies 383
Social Skills Training 383
Effectiveness 383
Key Terms 384
Discussion Questions: What is Your Perspective on Sex? 384
References 384
15 Sex Laws, Sexual Victimization, and the Sexual Marketplace 388
Introduction 389
A Brief History of Sex Laws 389
Sexual Coercion and Violence 391
Sexual Assault 391
Child Sexual Abuse 393
Sexual Harassment 396
The Sexual Marketplace 398
Prostitution 398
Sex Trafficking 402
Pornography 402
Key Terms 411
Discussion Questions: What is Your Perspective on Sex? 411
References 412
Epilogue 416
Glossary 417
Index 429
