Human Sexuality: Personality and Social Psychological Perspectives

Acknowledgments 1. The Study of Sexuality Preface The Need for the Scholarly Study of Sexuality The Predominant Views Used in This Book The Nature of Theory and Understanding in Science Historical Factors in the Scientific Investigation of Sexuality Summary 2. Sexuality in a Historical, Religious, and Philosophical Context The Historical Analysis of Sexuality The Centrality of Religion in Attitudes about Sexuality Summary 3. The Historical Course of Sexuality Western Civilization Prior to the 20th Century The Great Depression (1930-1939) World War II and the Atomic Age (1940-1949) A Return to the Past: The New Traditionalism (1950-1959) New Frontiers (1960-1969) The Seventies: The Walls Come Tumbling Down (1970-1979) The Conservative Counter-Reaction (1980 to Recent Times) Conclusions About the Historical Course of Sexuality Summary 4. The Scientific Study of Sexuality Early Scientific Research on Sexuality Collecting Scientific Information on Sexuality Evaluating the Quality of Measurement Methods of Collecting Data Ethics and Scientific Research with Humans Summary 5. The Person: Individuality and Sexuality The Personal Meaning of Sexuality The Personality Psychology of Sexuality Summary 6. Gender and Sexuality The Concepts of Sex and Gender Aspects of Gender Summary 7. The Sexual Self and Sexual Identity The Social Nature of the Self Sexual Identity Summary 8. Sexual Motivation, Arousal, and Attraction Sexual Motivation Factors Affecting Attractiveness of Partners Summary 9. Love, Intimacy, and Sexuality Romantic Relationships The Development of Intimate Relationships Theoretical Views of Love and Sexuality Summary 10. Relationships and Sexuality The Path That Relationships Usually Follow Sexuality Within Long-Term Committed Relationships Sexuality Outside of Traditional Relationships Summary 11. Ethnicity, Race, Culture, and Sexuality The Concepts of Race and Ethnicity Sexuality and Ethnicity Summary 12. The Biopsychology of Sexuality The Nervous System The Endocrine System Control of Sex Hormone Production by the Brain The Role of Sex Hormones in Prenatal Development Biological Factors Involved in Sexuality Summary 13. Sexuality in the Early Years and Adolescence Development During Infancy Development During Childhood Adolescence Summary 14. Adulthood: Challenges and Decisions Challenges of Young Adulthood Establishing Sexual Orientation Romantic Relationships Establishing a Family Midlife and Beyond Summary References Index Author Biography