Book Reviews

Archives of Sexual Behavior, Vol. 33, No. 6, December 2004, pp. 603–612 (C 2004) Book Reviews Annual Review of Sex Research (Vol. XIII). Edited by problems and sexual problems generally. Oddly though, Julia R. Heiman. Society for the Scientific Study of as Rosen and McKenna note, these drugs are not helpful Sexuality, Allentown, Pennsylvania, 2002, 388 pp., generally for women, even though they do appear to have $59.00. similar physiological effects in both sexes. A third paper also looks at biological factors in Reviewed by Irene Hanson Frieze, Ph.D.1 human sexuality, but here the focus is on human sexual orientation. The underlying causes of sexual orientation This is Volume XIII in the series of annual reviews have been a central issue for many years and many theories published by the Society for the Scientific Study of about this have been proposed and tested. As Mustanski, Sexuality. Each of these volumes includes a number of Chivers, and Bailey discuss in their paper, there is now review articles on topics selected to represent current clear evidence that there is a genetic component to issues in the field of sexuality research. One focus of this sexual orientation in men, but the evidence for women volume appears to be biological factors in sexuality, with is less clear. This research is ongoing and awaits evidence three of the nine papers focused on this exclusively. This about specific genetic factors from the human genome choice of topics corresponds to the increasing interest project to clarify these genetic mechanisms. It is not clear in the role of biology among sex researchers. Each of why biological factors are generally less successful in the papers in this volume provides important information predicting female than male sexual orientation. Part of for the sexuality researcher. The collection may be even the answer may be found in a later paper in the volume on more relevant for those teaching courses in sexuality bisexuality. and for graduate students wanting to gain a broader Issues of sexual orientation as they apply to nonhu- perspective. man animals are taken up in the next paper by Vasey. As The first paper by Giami is on sexual health. As Vasey discusses, there is evidence of preference for same- Giami notes, several European countries, as well as the sex partners in several species; however, clear evidence United States and the World Health Organization, have about why such preferences exist is not yet available. developed statements in the late twentieth century that Several theories have been proposed and tested. For outline the definition of sexual health, as defined by example, many studies have been done to test the role recognized experts. Rather than focusing on reproduction, of hormonal factors during prenatal development and in as was the case a century ago, these statements assume adulthood for various species, but the findings are mixed, that sexuality and sexual pleasure are part of the well- even in nonhumans. There is also a lack of evidence that being of the individual and are basic rights of the person. dominance or other “sociosexual” variables can reliably But, there are differences among the different countries, as predict partner preferences. Here again in this paper, as in Giami clearly points out. Through analyzing these cross- others in this volume, Vasey argues that more research is cultural similarities and differences, one gains a much needed. greater appreciation of the biases of one’s own culture. Bisexuality and the many cultural assumptions un- The second paper by Rosen and McKenna discusses derlying the research on this topic are addressed by the physiological mechanisms involved with the new Rodriguez Rust. Rodriguez Rust argues that rather than drugs, such as Viagra, for treatment of male erectile thinking of bisexuals as being somehow both heterosexual dysfunction. These drugs have become quite successful and homosexual, they should be thought of as individuals and are widely used around the world, in spite of their who make sexual choices not on the basis of who is high cost. The fact that these drugs are now available and male or female, but on personality or other factors than widely advertised has created an unanticipated effect of gender. To more clearly understand bisexuals, we need there now being more open discussion of male erection to develop better measurements of sexual orientation and to move beyond the idea of Kinsey’s scale that assumes 1Department of Psychology, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, everyone can be placed on a continuum from exclusively Pennsylvania 15260; e-mail: [email protected]. heterosexual to exclusively homosexual. 603 0004-0002/04/1200-0603/0 C 2004 Springer Science+Business Media, Inc. 604 Book Reviews The next paper by Reichert takes up an issue that dysfunctions who have a history of child sexual abuse. As has been the topic of research for many years—the role Leonard and Follette point out, sexual problems are often of sexual imagery in advertising. It is well known that assumed to be common in child sexual abuse “survivors,” advertising that links ones product to sexuality in some but in empirical studies, such problems are not always way can result in more sales of the product. As Reichert seen. As they argue, “The impact CSA has on sexual points out, the issue for academic researchers is not functioning is far from being clearly understood and whether sex sells, but instead we should be concerned with explained” (p. 384). Better treatment models are needed. developing a better understanding of the mechanisms by Leonard and Follette explain that as new models are which sexual content influences consumers. Most of this developed and tested, they need to more clearly build on work has been supported in the past by those wanting to research designed to better understand women’s sexual sell more of their product. But, Reichert suggests that more responding. Women’s sexuality includes nonsexual needs scientific and less commercial involvement is needed in and desires such as closeness and acceptance, and does this investigation. Such research would add to a broader not fit well into models based on male sexuality, according understanding of human sexuality. Such research might to these researchers. also clarify for market researchers why sexual imagery is Looking across these papers, one theme that emerges not always successful. is that there may well be very different mechanisms that Chrisler and Caplan address another topic in their underlie male and female sexuality in humans. Drugs paper that has long been of interest to researchers, the developed to treat erectile disorder in men do affect the premenstrual syndrome. As they point out, there appears clitoris in women, but this does not appear to have a direct to be a stronger belief about the symptoms of PMS effect on their sexual feelings. But, for men, enhancing in the research community as well as in the general public erections appears to be quite effective for most men in than can be reliably documented in controlled studies. treating problems with sexual desire. Mustanski et al. The PMS label appears to have taken on a life of its show us that genetic influences on sexual orientation are own. Chrisler and Caplan outline some of the societal clearer in men than in women. Rust suggests that “women context that may help us understand why the PMS label are more likely than men to have multiple sexual self- has been so readily accepted. Even more problematic, identities” (p. 222). And, Leonard and Follette point to in their view, is the inclusion of PMDD (Premenstrual the need to better understand female sexual dysfunction Dysphoric Disorder) as a psychiatric disorder in the and argue that models developed for men may not apply. DSM-IV. Perhaps the association of all types of negative Perhaps a future volume of the Annual Review of Sex behaviors and symptoms in women with the menstrual Research needs to address gender more directly. cycle is an example of overzealousness in the application The Society for the Scientific Study of Sexuality con- of biological explanations. tinues its service to the field of sex research by sponsoring In a paper by Loeb et al., another controversial issue these volumes. The papers in this volume, as in others, is explored. This paper reviews research on the effects serve as important resources for researchers, teachers, and of child sexual abuse on later sexual functioning. As the students. These reviews of central topics in the field pull paper briefly mentions, one major issue in interpreting together articles and provide expert commentary that any research findings is that the age of the involved “child” can serious scholar will find of interest. Each paper suggests vary so much. Many studies use any activity under the age important topics that we do understand and others that of 18 as “childhood” sexual activity, even though it is clear need additional research. that much consensual sex with similarly aged peers occurs in adolescents under the age of 18. Combining these Handbook of the Psychology of Women and Gender. consensual activities with forced or coerced experiences Edited by Rhoda K. Unger. John Wiley, New York, before age 12 or even under the age of 5, as many studies 2001, 423 pp., $64.99. do, makes it almost impossible to really understand the phenomenon being discussed. Unfortunately, most of the Reviewed by Sari M. van Anders, M.A.2 literature uses the under-18 criterion, and this review of published literature, by necessity, suffers from the same The goal of Handbook of the Psychology of Women problem. Not surprisingly, this review concludes that no and Gender (The Handbook) is to provide a current firm conclusions can be drawn about the effects of child sex abuse.

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