The psychology of human sexuality / Justin J. Lehmiller ; cover image, James Cotier ; cover design by Simon Levy.

Format:

Book

Author/Creator:

Lehmiller, Justin J., author.

Contributor:

Cotier, James.

Levy, Simon.

Language:

English

Subjects (All):

Sex (Psychology).

Sex (Biology).

Genre:

Electronic books.

Physical Description:

1 online resource (426 pages) : color illustrations

Place of Publication:

Chichester, England : Wiley-Blackwell, 2014.

System Details:

text file

Summary:

The Psychology of Human Sexuality offers a comprehensive overview of the science behind human sexual behavior from a biopsychosocial perspective. By emphasizing psychological research and theory on human sexuality, renowned sexuality expert Justin J. Lehmiller reveals the psychological importance of possessing familiarity with one's body for forming healthy sexual relationships, and shows how a lack of such knowledge can lead to sexual and relationship difficulties. A wide variety of issues and topics are explored, ranging from sexual anatomy, methods, attraction, orientation, relationships, and behaviors, to sexual difficulties and solutions, prostitution, and pornography. Designed to be inclusive and respectful of a diverse audience, Lehmiller's analysis also includes instructor resources designed to facilitate a dynamic and interactive classroom environment and enhance critical thinking. Approaching the topic with a combination of sensitivity and scholarly rigor, The Psychology of Human Sexuality offers rich insights into the latest theories and research that shape our understanding of the psychological aspects of human sexuality. Instructor materials available online at www.wiley.com/go/lehmiller Book jacket.

Contents:

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 7

Major Theoretical Perspectives on Human Sexuality 8

Psychoanalytic Theory 8

Cognitive-Behavioral and Learning Theories 11

Exchange Theories 15

Personality Theories 16

Evolutionary Theory 19

The Perspective of This Text 21

Key Terms 23

Discussion Questions 23

References 23

2 Sexology Research: History, Methods, and Ethics 27

Introduction 28

A Brief History of Sexology 29

Sexology as a Science 31

Sample Selection 32

Nonexperimental Research 34

Surveys 34

Direct Observation 38

Case Reports 42

Experimental Research 42

A Sample Sexperiment 43

Strengths and Limitations of the Experimental Method 43

A Note on Statistics 44

Means and Medians 44

Incidence and Prevalence 44

Correlation 44

Ethics in Sexology Research 45

Informed Consent 48

Debriefing 50

Confidentiality 51

Evaluating Sex Research 51

Key Terms 52

Discussion Questions 52

References 52

3 Human Sexual Anatomy 55

Introduction 56

Male Sexual Anatomy 56

A Historical and Cultural Overview of the Penis 56

External Anatomy 58

Internal Anatomy 59

Psychology of the Penis: Male Genital Concerns 64

Male Genital Health Issues 66

Female Sexual Anatomy 67

A Historical and Cultural Overview of the Vulva 67

External Anatomy 68

Internal Anatomy 73

Breasts 75

Psychology of the Breasts and Vulva: Female Bodily Concerns 77

Female Breast and Genital Health Issues 79

Moving Forward 82

Key Terms 82

Discussion Questions 83

References 83

4 Human Sexual Response: Understanding Arousal and Orgasm 87

Introduction 88

Factors That Influence Sexual Arousal 88

The Brain 88

The Senses 90

Hormones 97

Substances 100

The Sexual Response Cycle 103

The Masters and Johnson Model 103

Psychological Models of Sexual Response 108

Key Terms 111

Discussion Questions 111

References 111

5 Gender and Gender Identity 115

Introduction 116

Biological Influences on Gender Identity and Sexuality 117

Biological Sex Variations 120

Psychosocial Influences on Gender Identity and Sexuality 126

Social Interactions and Norms 126

Physical Environments 128

Media 129

Variations in Gender Expression 130

Transsexualism 130

Cross-Dressing 135

Other Identities 136

Just How Different Are Men and Women? 137

Sex Differences in Psychology 137

Sex Differences in Sexuality and Attitudes Toward Sex 138

Key Terms 139

Discussion Questions 140

References 140

6 Sexual Orientation 144

Introduction 145

Sexual Orientation: Definitions and Types 145

Measurement and Prevalence 146

Theories of Sexual Orientation 149

Early Psychological Theories 149

Biological and Hormonal Theories 149

Evolutionary Theories 151

Biopsychosocial Theories 152

Sex Differences in the Expression of Sexual Orientation 155

Sexual Orientation Attitudes 158

Prejudice Against Gay, Lesbian, and Bisexual Persons 158

Sexual Orientation in Psychological Perspective 162

Sexual Orientation Myths 164

Key Terms 167

Discussion Questions 167

References 168

7 The Laws of Attraction 171

Introduction 172

What Attracts Us To Other People? 173

Affective Influences 173

Propinquity 177

Similarity 177

Scarcity 180

Physiological Arousal 180

Neurochemical Factors 182

Physical Attractiveness 182

Attraction Processes among Gay Men and Lesbians 185

Why Are Men and Women Attracted to Different Characteristics? 185

Evolutionary Theory 186

Social Structural Perspectives 188

Key Terms 192

Discussion Questions 192

References 192

8 Intimate Relationships: Sex, Love, and Commitment 196

Introduction 197

Singlehood and Casual Relationships 197

Sexuality Among Singles 199

Hookups 199

Friends with Benefits 200

Singles' Sexual Outcomes 202

Love and Committed Relationships 203

The Nature of Love 203

The Nature of Commitment 208

Varieties of Loving and Committed Relationships 211

Why Do Some Relationships Succeed While Others Fail? 216

Characteristics of Good Relationships 216

The Dark Side of Relationships 220

Coping with Breakup 224

Key Terms 224

Discussion Questions I 225

References 225

9 Sexual Behaviors 229

Introduction 230

Solitary Sexual Behaviors 230

Asexuality and Celibacy 230

Sexual Fantasy 232

Masturbation 235

Partnered Sexual Behaviors 240

Kissing 241

Touching 242

Oral Sex 243

Vaginal Intercourse 243

Anal Sex 244

Same-Sex Behaviors 245

Frequency and Benefits of Sex and Orgasm 248

Sexual Behavior in Psychological Perspective 249

Self-Regulation 249

Attachment Style 251

Mortality Salience 251

Key Terms 252

Discussion Questions 252

References 252

10 Sex Education, Contraception, and Pregnancy 255

Introduction 256

Sex Education 256

Contraception 261

History 262

Types of Contraceptives 262

Choosing the Right Contraceptive 270

Pregnancy 272

The Psychology of Trying to Have a Baby 272

Psychological Changes During Pregnancy and After Birth 273

Abortion 274

Key Terms 275

Discussion Questions 275

References 276

11 Sexually Transmitted Infections and Safer-Sex Practices 279

Introduction 280

Sexually Transmitted Infections 280

Bacterial Infections 281

Viral Infections 284

Other Infections 289

Factors That Increase the Spread of STIs 290

Biological 290

Psychological 291

Social and Environmental 292

The Psychological Impact of STIs 293

Implications for Romantic and Sexual Relatioriships 295

Preventing Infection 296

Key Terms 299

Discussion Questions 299

References 299

12 Sexual Dysfunction and Sex Therapy 302

Introduction 303

Causes of Sex Difficulties 303

Biological 303

Psychological 304

Social 306

Types of Sexual Dysfunction 308

Desire Problems 308

Arousal Problems 311

Orgasm Problems 311

Pain Disorders 312

Sex Therapy 313

Schools of Thought 313

Specific Treatments 318

Tips For Avoiding Sexual Difficulties 324

Key Terms 324

Discussion Questions 325

References 325

13 Variations in Sexual Behavior 328

Introduction 329

What are Paraphilias? 329

Types of Paraphilias 331

Fetishism 331

Transvestism 335

Sadomasochism 336

Voyeurism 338

Exhibitionism 339

Pedophilia 341

Other Paraphilias 341

Treatment of Paraphilic Disorders 345

Medical Therapies 346

Psychological Therapies 346

Serial Skills Training 347

Effectiveness 347

Key Terms 348

Discussion Questions 348

References 348

14 Sex Laws, Sexual Victimization, and the Sexual Marketplace 351

Introduction 352

A Brief History of Sex Laws 352

Sexual Coercion and Violence 354

Sexual Assault 354

Child Sexual Abuse 357

Sexual Harassment 358

The Sexual Marketplace 360

Prostitution 360

Sex Trafficking 364

Pornography 365

Key Terms 374

Discussion Questions 374

References 374.

Notes:

Includes bibliographical references at the end of each chapters and index.

Description based on print version record.

Local Notes:

Electronic reproduction. Palo Alto, Calif. : ebrary, 2013. Available via World Wide Web. Access may be limited to ebrary affiliated libraries.

Other Format:

Print version: Psychology of human sexuality.

ISBN:

9781118351291

OCLC:

865824233

Access Restriction:

Restricted for use by site license.