Human Sexuality in a World of Diversity

by Spencer A. Rathus, Lois Fichner-Rathus, Jeffrey S. Nevid

The perfect balance between science and pedagogy. Human Sexuality in a World of Diversity , 7e examines the rich diversity found in human sexuality and helps students develop their own opinions by promoting critical thinking skills, personal sexual health awareness, and responsible decision-making. Firmly rooted in science, the text systematically encourages students to apply the research to their own lives.

Genres: Psychology, Nonfiction, Textbooks, Sexuality, Education, School, Theory

752 pages, Hardcover

First published January 1, 1982

About the author

Spence Rathus is a veteran author who, in addition to his intro and development books with Thomson Learning, publishes texts in adjustment and abnormal psychology with other publishers. Spencer A. Rathus is known for his warm, encouraging writing style and applied approach to learning. As the first member of his family to attend college, he struggled through dry and technical books that didn’t resonate with him. His goal is to write textbooks that excite and motivate today’s students, through humor, personal examples, and a clear pedagogical framework. Since earning his Ph.D., he has published research articles in the areas of human growth and development, psychological disorders, methods of therapy, and psychological assessment. Foremost among his research publications is the Rathus Assertiveness Schedule(RAS), which is widely used in research and clinical practice and frequently referenced in other literature. Rathus taught at Northeastern University and St. John’s University before arriving at his current position at New York University, where he teaches a culturally diverse population of students in the School of Continuing and Professional Studies.

Reviews

[Wesley · Rating 5 out of 5]

The best textbook I have ever read, very informative and detailed. I recommend both the book and the Human Sexuality course to anyone with the time to enjoy them properly.

[Joel Cuthbert · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is, obviously, a textbook so there's that. The edition I read was, I believe, a more up-to-date one, though I wanted to spare my conservative followers the more racy cover, which perhaps is sillie of me. Nevertheless, this was one of the more enjoyable reads of my summer semester. Of course that is partially due to the "excitable" nature of the content.

I must add here, that I grew up in the fairly sexually sheltered world of the conservative evangelical bubble. By some strange series of events, I was actually sick-at-home during the roughly 1 week we addressed human sexuality in my Christian high school. It was as exciting as I'm sure you can imagine: dividing the "gym" class into boys and girls for the "big talk" that I'm sure most of us did not receive at home. These were rather shy-times for folks. Most of my parent's generation I'm sure didn't receive "the talk" so they had just as much trouble trying to pass along that information to us.

If I recall, in a story I have delightfully told at a few parties, when I first moved out into my first apartment at 18 my father approached me with a goofy grin on his face and handed me a book called "Courtship and the Dangers of Petting" which had been published by something like "Sword in the Spirit" publishing (I just googled it and you better belief it was in fact "Sword of the LORD Publishing", they don't make 'em like they used to). He insisted that It had come to be time that I should have this book, but I was to know that it was very much only a "Loan" and not for me to keep. He was joking, and we both laughed, but that was tantamount to "the talk" that I received from him.

I had a girlfriend at the time, and we mostly got up to some champion smooch sessions but not much else-wise.

Now at 38, with a few relationships behind me, one of which was a marriage that ended in divorce, it's about time I figure out what is going on in the boudoir, or more technically "where babies come from."

... So anyway this is a nice textbook with lots of informative details provided in a rather frank though I would say quite gracefully educational format. Honestly, it would have saved hormonal and confused Joel some of his anxious years of trying to piece together the stuff from poorly whispered jokes on the playground to the more exaggerated and elicit content of Hollywood films.

Sex is absurd, embarrassing and perhaps one of the more profoundly transcendent things we humans can get up to in this little life of ours. If there has ever been a place where I want to champion the value of "education" it is here. Not only so that one might not be wracked with shame, guilt and confusion, but also so that one can best respond to the bludgeoning world of media and society where frankly we both NEVER talk about sex and are ALWAYS talking about sex.

This is long-winded, and perhaps has little to do with the book itself, but I get my chance here to process some of it again, so I will.

One of the better books I've read on the stuff, and part of a highly insightful course offered at my local university, certainly essential stuff for those who might champion higher education to be about becoming a more informed and responsible adult.

Let your kids get it here cause most of the places they already ARE hearing about the stuff it is pretty patchwork and full of dishonesty and half-truths. And I say that as a critique of both the progressive all-embracing left and the hide-it-under-a-bushell right.

If you're reading this someone had the sex, ie "did the deed", so you have a right to understand the stuff. And maybe you will be able to live more honestly, responsibly and meaningfully in your life.

(Shoutout to my prof. Robin Milhausen, who is an excitable kid about the stuff (education around it, I should clarify) and brings that kind of energy that makes learning feel as it should).

[Mark · Rating 3 out of 5]

Not the top human sexuality textbook I have read but I did learn about the subject at hand It was comprehensive and easy to read with jargon easily explained. Interesting but I have read a better human sexuality book by Hock.

[Graham Holloway · Rating 5 out of 5]

One of the best books I have ever read on the topic of Human Sexuality.

[Kim Browers · Rating 1 out of 5]

Perhaps it was the age of the textbook, but I found myself annoyed that the author kept repeating information in a very broadd, and not very accurate way. Even myself, with my limited anthropological knowledge of human sexuality, could find many statements of history and culture that were misguided or misinformed. I made it through half of the first chapter, and tried to read the cultural/world perspectives sections in others, but I found myself completely disengaged after hearing the same pseudo-facts repeated ad nauseum. The author appears to have been paid by the word, since the filler catch-phrases that kept appearing didn't actually enhance the current chapters. I would not recommend this, for any reason whatsoever.

[Heta Rae · Rating 4 out of 5]

I read this almost 20 years ago in a college class, so my memory of it isn't clear enough for me to want to rate it or make a lot of strong comments. It is textbooky, but I do recall that lot of the personal accounts it goes into were interesting and enlightening. The section on what terminology to use when talking about sex in a therapeutic setting made me start viewing language very different though. It was a complete revelation to me at the time that some people would have a much more negative reaction to the word "pussy" than the word "cunt" because the latter was such a forbidden word where I grew up. It really helped me see the differences in what is familiar and comfortable.

[Carter · Rating 5 out of 5]

This textbook is comprehensive, organized, and well-written. It guides students and professionals alike through the subject of human sexuality as presented by experts in the field. As a psychology major specifically interested in sexual psychology and sex therapy this book was a must-have for my bookshelf.

[Nick · Rating 3 out of 5]

The first couple chapters are very interesting because it teaches me thing I am not aware of.. But the rest of the chapters convert itself into a high school textbook which is embarrassing considering the fact that I am a college student. The final chapters I skimmed while watching Mad Men while consuming Wheat Thins.

[Scott Whitney · Rating 3 out of 5]

Not my favorite course for this degree, but it is the course which made me decide to change my degree to something which will help my current career. I did like some of the information in the book and my understanding of the subject matter did expand.

[Dawn · Rating 3 out of 5]

Text book for Human Sexuality class I took a few months back. I found the book to be informative, but biased on the authors opinions, rather then by facts.

[Penny · Rating 4 out of 5]

Very thorough! Excellent Canadian research information.

[Sarah Kierstead]

HOW is this book in the 5th-grade reading list???

[Kayla · Rating 4 out of 5]

Human Sexuality Psychology textbook

[Skeptic · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great textbook, easy to read and absolutely fascinating.

[Cali Bakker · Rating 3 out of 5]

For a potentially sensitive topic, this textbook did an excellent job of covering the different aspects of human sexuality in an open, academic way.