Synopses & Reviews
The most authoritative college textbook available on human sexuality, this new edition of Crooks and Baur's OUR SEXUALITY has been thoroughly and carefully updated to reflect the most current research literature. Sensitive, comprehensive, and candid scholars and teachers, the authors continue to engage students with the most exciting, emerging research in the field. The authors have further refined their focus on strengthening healthy communication among partners, as well as their overall coverage on maintaining a responsible and healthy sexual relationship. They have also given even greater attention to diversity and inclusiveness. Other highlights include the very latest research, including a new feature called "Spotlight on Research;" new stories about the experiences of real people from the "Authors' Files;" and a writing style that is warm, direct, and non-judgmental. As always, thorough coverage of all major topics is incorporated into every section (including sexual health). The result is a timely new edition that retains and builds upon all of the strengths that have made it the best-selling book in the market.
Review
"The chapters written by Crooks and Baur are superbly crafted. What I like so much about the draft chapters written by the authors is they include personal anecdotes throughout the chapter and by doing this, the chapter is so much more engaging than some of the chapters in the text I currently use."
Review
"The chapters written by Crooks and Baur are superbly crafted. What I like so much about the draft chapters written by the authors is they include personal anecdotes throughout the chapter and by doing this, the chapter is so much more engaging than some of the chapters in the text I currently use."
Review
"In terms of thoroughness of scholarship, this text is simply the best."
Review
"Let me emphasize that, overall, this is an excellent text. I believe it is probably the best text in the field. Finding criticisms for this book was a very difficult job."
Review
"Your text is concise, well written, thorough, well organized. I think your updates of the 9e are great! You have a great text—when comparing to other texts on sexuality (8 texts others at my disposal) I find yours the most comprehensive and current—two vital components important to me in teaching the subject!"
Synopsis
The Eighth Edition of this #1 market-leading college textbook in human sexuality continues to offer the same qualities you've come to expect from Crooks and Baur and more. Continuing their tradition of sensitivity, comprehensiveness, currency, and candor, Robert Crooks and Karla Baur offer much that is new and exciting in this revision. You'll find thorough coverage of all major topics incorporated into every section, including sexual health issues; the very latest research, new stories about the experiences of real people from the "Authors' Files;"and a writing style that is warm, direct, and non-judgmental. The authors have also further refined their focus on strengthening healthy communication among partners, attention to diversity, and overall coverage on maintaining a responsible and healthy sexual relationship.
About the Author
The integration of psychological, social, and biological components of human sexuality in this text is facilitated by the blending of the authors' academic and professional backgrounds. Robert Crooks has a Ph.D. in psychology, and his graduate training stressed clinical and physiological psychology. In addition, he has considerable background in sociology, which served as his minor throughout his graduate training. His involvement with teaching human sexuality classes at the university and college level spans two decades.Karla Baur has a master's degree in social work; her advanced academic work stressed clinical training. She is a licensed clinical social worker in private practice with a specialty in sex therapy. Karla has been certified as a sex educator, therapist, and sex therapy supervisor by the American Association of Sex Educators, Counselors, and Therapists. She has instructed sexuality classes at several colleges and universities and provides training for other mental health professionals.
Table of Contents
1. PERSPECTIVES ON SEXUALITY. The Authors' Perspectives. Our Media Culture. The Sex for Reproduction Legacy. The Gender-Role Legacy. A Cross-Cultural Perspective: Social Norms and Sexual Diversity. Sexuality: Personal or Public Domain? 2. SEX RESEARCH: METHODS AND PROBLEMS. The Goals of Sexology. Nonexperimental Research Methods. The Experimental Method. Technologies in Sex Research. Ethical Guidelines for Human Sex Research. Feminist Theory and Sex Research. The Popular Media and Sex Research. Evaluating Research: Some Questions to Ask. Sexology in the New Millennium: A Look at the Future. 3. GENDER ISSUES. Male and Female, Masculine and Feminine. Gender-Identity Formation. Transsexualism and Transgenderism. Gender Roles. 4. FEMALE SEXUAL ANATOMY AND PHYSIOLOGY. Genital Self-Exam. The Vulva. Underlying Structures. Internal Structures. Menstruation. Menopause. Gynecological Health Concerns. The Breasts. 5. MALE SEXUAL ANATOMY AND PHYSIOLOGY. Sexual Anatomy. Male Sexual Functions. Some Concerns about Sexual Functioning. Male Genital Health Concerns. 6. SEXUAL AROUSAL AND RESPONSE. The Role of Hormones in Sexual Arousal. The Brain and Sexual Arousal. The Senses and Sexual Arousal. Aphrodisiacs and Anaphrodisiacs in Sexual Arousal. Sexual Response. Aging and the Sexual Response Cycle. Some Differences Between the Sexes in Sexual Response. 7. LOVE AND THE DEVELOPMENT OF SEXUAL RELATIONSHIPS. What Is Love? Types of Love. Falling in Love: Why and with Whom? The Development of Intimacy. Issues in Loving Relationships. Maintaining Relationship Satisfaction. 8. COMMUNICATION IN SEXUAL RELATIONSHIPS. The Importance of Communication. Talking: Getting Started. Listening and Feedback. Discovering Your Partner's Needs. Learning to Make Requests. Giving and Receiving Criticism. Saying No. Nonverbal Sexual Communication. Impasses. 9. SEXUAL BEHAVIORS. Celibacy. Erotic Dreams and Fantasy. Masturbation. Sexual Expression: The Importance of Context and Meaning. Kissing and Touching. Oral-Genital Stimulation. Anal Stimulation. Gay and Lesbian Sexual Expression. Coitus and Coital Positions. Sexual Styles. 10. SEXUAL ORIENTATIONS. A Continuum of Sexual Orientations. What Determines Sexual Orientation? Societal Attitudes. Lifestyles. The Gay Rights Movement. 11. CONTRACEPTION. Historical and Social Perspectives. Sharing Responsibility and Choosing a Birth Control Method. Hormone-Based Contraceptives. Barrier Methods. Intrauterine Devices. Emergency Contraception. Fertility Awareness Methods. Sterilization. Less-Than-Effective Methods. New Directions in Contraception. 12. CONCEIVING CHILDREN: PROCESS AND CHOICE. Parenthood as an Option. Becoming Pregnant. Spontaneous and Elective Abortion. The Experience of Pregnancy. A Healthy Pregnancy. Childbirth. Postpartum. 13. SEXUALITY DURING CHILDHOOD AND ADOLESCENCE. Sexual Behavior During Infancy and Childhood. The Physical Changes of Adolescence. Sexual Behavior During Adolescence. Adolescent Pregnancy. Sex Education. 14. SEXUALITY AND THE ADULT YEARS. Single Living. Cohabitation. Marriage. Extramarital Relationships. Divorce. Sexuality and Aging. Widowhood. 15. THE NATURE AND ORIGIN OF SEXUAL DIFFICULTIES. Origins of Sexual Difficulties. Desire-Phase Difficulties. Excitement-Phase Difficulties. Orgasm-Phase Difficulties. Dyspareunia. 16. SEX THERAPY AND ENHANCEMENT. Basics of Sexual Enhancement and Sex Therapy. Specific Suggestions for Women. Specific Suggestions for Men. Treating Hypoactive Sexual Desire. Seeking Professional Assistance. 17. SEXUALLY TRANSMITTED DISEASES. Bacterial Infections. Viral Infections. Common Vaginal Infections. Ectoparasitic Infections. Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome. Preventing Sexually Transmitted Diseases. 18. ATYPICAL SEXUAL BEHAVIOR. What Constitutes Atypical Sexual Behavior? Noncoercive Paraphilias. Coercive Paraphilias. Treatment of Coercive Paraphilias. Sexual Addiction: Fact, Fiction, or Misnomer? 19. SEXUAL VICTIMIZATION (CONTRIBUTED BY WILLIAM ZANGWILL). Rape. Sexual Abuse of Children. Sexual Harassment. 20. SEX FOR SALE. Pornography. Prostitution.