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The Psychology of Human Sexuality. Edition No. 3

  • Book

  • 416 Pages
  • November 2023
  • John Wiley and Sons Ltd
  • ID: 5840849
The Psychology of HUMAN SEXUALITY

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

Authors

Justin J. Lehmiller Harvard University, USA.