The book aims to increase the comfort of both mental health trainees and advanced practitioners in assisting patients with their sexual concerns. The author provides a thoughtful discussion of the nature of love--as an active, evolving process involving psychological intimacy, intense sexual interest, and commitment--and shows how sexual problems create barriers to loving.
The regulation of sexuality and the careful distinction between normality and abnormality has a long and checkered history--with psychologists at the forefront of this debate. Yet any attempt to identify a simple and unitary `psychology of sexual problems' inevitably becomes the focus of a great deal of criticism, particularly from the disciplines of psychoanalysis and feminism. The aim of Psychological Perspectives on Sexual Problemsis both to provoke and to promote a glasnost between those whose work directly involves research and intervention in the arena of sexuality, and those who would deconstruct, criticize, and reframe any understanding of sexuality outside of the dominant discourse of psychology. The contributors examine the psychological theories associated with sexuality and sexual problems and at the same time present examples of positive and empowering practice with groups of individuals whose sexuality is often ignored or marginalized. These individuals include those with learning difficulties or physical disabilities, sex offenders, gay men with AIDS, and women with eating disorders. Psychological Perspectives on Sexual Problemsis the first text to integrate critical theory and current clinical practice, in an attempt to arrive at a revolutionary approach to the psychology of sexuality.
A comprehensive and thoroughly up-to-date examination of the most important topics in human sexuality. Psychological Perspectives on Human Sexuality offers a comprehensive and much-needed empirical examination of human sexuality. It is the first book in the field to speak to the needs of both the social scientist and the mental health professional. This important work also provides a complete scientific survey of the latest research along with guidance for its application to clinical practice. Researchers, clinicians, and students alike will value this collection of critical reviews covering a broad range of contemporary scientific inquiry into human sexuality. The book encapsulates the state of the art in research in such new subjects as genital surgery on children and Internet sex, as well as the most current approaches to such traditional topics as sexual orientation and gender/transgender issues. You?ll also find in-depth coverage of such topics as: Male and Female Sexuality Sexual Fantasy and Erotica/Pornography Disabled Sexual Partners Older Adult Sexuality HIV/AIDS and Sexuality Paraphilias The Aftermath of Child Sexual Abuse Rape and Sexual Aggression Therapists? Sexual Misconduct
"As Fresh as today’s headlines, as scholarly as cutting-edge research, as clinically useful as any volume can be, Men and Sex is a well-written compendium that is essential reading for academics and clinicians. It is the last word on this most intriguing and socially relevant subject of men and their sexual desires." —William S. Pollack Director, Center For Men, McLean Hospital/Harvard Medical School Coauthor of In a Time of Fallen Heroes: The Re-creation of Masculinity "A bold and informative book on a topic too long neglected by psychologists and other social scientists." —Lucia Gilbert Professor of Educational Psychology and Director of Women’s Studies. University of Texas at Austin "This is a truly important book. Turning conventional psychological wisdom on its head, these authors reveal that what we have long considered ‘normal’ male sexuality is, actually, a collage of pathologies — objectifying, nonrelational, aggressive." —Michael Kimmel Professor of Sociology, Suny at Stony Brook Author of Manhood in America: A Cultural History "In this excellent book, Levant and Brooks have taken a courageous and necessary step in exposing the pitfalls for men of nonrelational sex, and offer, in its place, a model of intimate and engaged sexuality. Just as women are learning to embrace their power, men can learn to embrace the nurturant and caring aspects of themselves. Ultimately, both genders will benefit from having a greater range of emotions and behaviors available to them, and their sexual experiences will be more gratifying and complete." —Dorothy W. Cantor Coauthor of Women in Power: The Secrets of Leadership
"Human Sexuality: Personality and Social Psychological Perspectives presents the topics typically covered in human sexuality courses, rooting the presentation in a strong psychological perspective. Author Craig Hill focuses on personality and social psychological theory to provide students with a conceptual understanding of the psychological factors involved in sexuality, and he encourages students to build upon that foundation by challenging them to think critically about the material in various ways. He also emphasizes the scientific investigation of sexuality, offering a solid review of the research literature."--Publisher's description.
New edition of an authoritative guide to human sexual behavior from a biopsychosocial perspective The thoroughly revised and updated second edition of The Psychology of Human Sexuality explores the roles that biology, psychology, and the social and cultural context play in shaping human sexual behavior. The author – a noted authority on the topic and an affiliate of the acclaimed Kinsey Institute - puts the spotlight on the most recent research and theory on human sexuality, with an emphasis on psychology. The text presents the major theoretical perspectives on human sexuality, and details the vast diversity of sexual attitudes and behaviors that exist in the modern world. The author also reviews the history of sexology and explores its unique methods and ethical considerations. Overall, this important and comprehensive text provides readers with a better understanding of, and appreciation for, the science of sex and the amazing complexity of human sexuality. Features broad coverage of topics including anatomy, gender and sexual orientation, sexual behaviors, sexual difficulties and solutions, prostitution, and pornography Offers more in-depth treatment of relationships than comparable texts, with separate chapters dealing with attraction and relationship processes Includes cutting-edge research on the origins of sexual orientation and gender identity, as well as new treatments for sexually transmitted infections and sexual dysfunctions Is written from a sex-positive perspective, with expanded coverage of cross-cultural research throughout and material that is inclusive and respectful of a diverse audience Includes numerous activities to facilitate dynamic, interactive classroom environments Written for students of human sexuality and anyone interested in the topic, The Psychology of Human Sexuality offers a guide to the psychology of human sexual behavior that is at once inclusive, thorough, and authoritative in its approach.
This volume in the Springer Series in Evolutionary Psychology presents a state of the art view of the topic of sexuality and sexual behavior drawing on theoretical constructs and research of noted individuals in the field. Comprehensive and multi-disciplinary, this book seeks to provide a broad overview without sacrificing the complexity of a multi-faceted approach. The book is framed by introductory and closing sections that provide a context for the range of ideas contained within. Ample space is provided in designated sections that focus on key areas of sexuality from both male and female perspectives and that include information from primate studies. This volume can serve as a graduate text in sexual behavior in evolutionary terms and as a guide for further research.
HIV alters the lives of anyone that it touches, whether they are gay or straight. This book looks at all of the aspects of how HIV/AIDS has altered the lives of those it touches. . . . The titles of the 12 chapters give an excellent overview of what is covered in these extremely well-written reports. . . . This is a must-read book for everyone. It should be in all libraries, including school libraries. Young adolescents who are facing the problem of coming out would benefit from this book. --AIDS Book Review Journal Hit hard by the AIDS epidemic in the United States and in much of Europe, the gay and lesbian community has been forced to examine existing notions of what it means to belong to a community based on sexual orientation. The editors of this second volume in the annual series Psychological Perspectives on Lesbian and Gay Issues have collected a perceptive array of chapters that explore sexual behavior, personal identity, and community memberships of gay men and lesbian women. With the exception of a few, the chapters reflect study findings from AIDS-related research and include discussions of AIDS in large urban centers and in less populated settings outside of major AIDS epicenters. Focusing on underconsidered AIDS populations, the contributors explore specific topics concerning the AIDS epidemic among gay and bisexual men of color, lesbian women, and gay and lesbian youth. Accessible and sensitive, the book also examines relevant public policy, volunteerism, and long-term survival as important to AIDS awareness and education. AIDS, Identity, and Community is an appreciable resource for AIDS researchers and caregivers, mental health practitioners, social service professionals, behavioral and social science students, and any reader who seeks deeper insight into the complex and subtle areas of the lesbian and gay community in the AIDS era.
This book is intended to describe what is known and what is not known (but needs to be known) in several specific areas of childhood abuse. Chapters include sexual offenders, child's memory, adult memory for trauma and victims in court.