Sexuality and Its Disorders

Mike Abrams, Ph.D., ABPP is a practicing psychologist with 30 years experience. He is a board certified Diplomate of the American Board of Professional Psychology, a Supervisor, Fellow and Diplomate of the Albert Ellis Institute. He is on the graduate psychology faculty of New York University where he has taught graduate courses in sexuality and psychotherapy.  His work on sex related issues began with his work at GMHC with people with AIDS; he was the first non-gay psychologist to volunteer to do such work in the mid 1980’s.  He spebt nearly 4 years helping, pro-bono, afflicted individuals along with their lovers and families. Dr. Abrams studied under, and for 17 years collaborated with, the prolific author and founder of sex therapy, Dr. Albert Ellis, who is also the founder of cognitive behavior therapy. Dr. Abrams is credited with extending Dr. Ellis′ theory of human personality and his methods of sex therapy. He had worked closely with Dr. Ellis in extending Ellis’ model of human sexuality to include current evolutionary psychology. Dr. Abrams also studied psychoanalysis with Robert Langs, MD.  He holds three graduate degrees in psychology, a Masters degree in business administration, a degree in educational administration and an advanced certificate in quantitative methods.  His current research includes the role of childhood sexual abuse in adult pathology, and the role of the Internet in changing sexual mores. He has published numerous journal articles on topics ranging from sexual problems to the cognitive foundations of psychoanalysis. In addition to his writing and teaching, Dr. Abrams practices clinical psychology with his wife of 25 years Dr. Lidia Abrams.  His practice centers on relationship, sexual, mood, and personality problems. He estimates that he has worked with more than 1100 people experiencing problems with sex or intimacy.  More recently, Dr. Abrams has received commendations from the Governor of New Jersey, the Hudson County Executive, and the Mayor of Jersey City for his work with chronically ill, indigent, and disabled persons.  Prior to his professional work in psychology, Dr. Abrams earned an MBA degree and worked in organizations such as the New York Stock Exchange, Merrill Lynch, and Citigroup, where he typically performed analytical and research projects. He has also consulted to numerous organizations and governmental agencies. Dr. Abrams lives with his wife and two college age daughters.  

Chapter 1: Overview of Sexuality
Case of Elena and Arthur
Defining Sex
The Making of Sexuality
Objectives of This Book
Interviews with Preeminent Researchers on Sexuality
Interview with David Buss, PhD
Chapter 2: The Basics of Sexuality
Sexuality and Gender
Sexual Reproduction
Sexual Reproduction and Genetic Variation
Red Queen Hypothesis
Sexual Competition
Sperm Competition
r/K Selection
Interview with J. Philippe Rushton
Sexual Dimorphism
Relationship Types
Monogamy
Pair Bonding
Reproduction
Sexual Selection
Polyandry
Chapter 3: History of Western Sexuality
The Nature of Historical Sex: Desirability and Debauchery
Sex in the Bible
Ancient Greece
Ancient Rome
Sexuality in the Medieval Era
Sexuality During the Renaissance
Sexuality in the Eighteenth Century
Victorianism
The Twentieth Century and the Sexual Revolution
Fear in Sexuality
An Interview with Dr. Joseph Ledoux
Chapter 4: Major Figures in Sex Research and Theory
Early Writings of Sexuality
Demons and Witchcraft: Early Explorations of Sexual Aberration and Mental Illness
The Renaissance and the Development of Sexology
Sex Research and the Reaction to Victorianism
Heinrich Kaan (1816-1893)
Karl-Heinrich Ulrichs (1825-1895)
Albert Moll (1862-1939)
Magnus Hirschfeld (1868-1935)
Richard von Krafft-Ebing (1840-1902)
Iwan Bloch (1872-1922)
Havelock Ellis (1859-1939)
Feminism and Early Research on Female Sexuality
Clelia Mosher (1863-1940)
Robert Latou Dickinson (1861-1950)
Katherine Bement Davis (1860-1935)
The Psychoanalytical School of Thought
Sigmund Freud (1856-1939)
Modern Science and Human Sexuality
Paulo Mantegazza (1831-1910)
Ira Reiss (1925- )
William Masters (1915-2001) and Virginia Johnson (1925-2013)
Alfred Kinsey (1894-1956)

An Interview With Dr. Sue Carter of Kinsey Institute
Studies in Gender and Sexual Orientation
Michel Foucault (1926-1984)
John Money (1921-2006)
Cognitive Behavioral Therapy
Albert Ellis (1913-2007)
Biological Perspectives
Gordon Gallup, Jr. (1941- )
Interview with Dr. Gordon Gallup
Chapter 5: Theories and Perspectives on Sexuality
Essentialism
Sexual Motivation and the Feedback Loop
Essentialism and Sexual Orientation
Humanistic Perspectives
The Decline of Humanism
Psychoanalytic Schools
Constructivist / Post-modern Perspectives of Psychoanalysis
Analytical Psychology
Constructivism and Social Relativism
Bio-Psycho-Social Point of View
Behaviorism
Legal Approach
Social Constructionism
Evolutionary Perspectives
Developmental Theory
Evolution and Attachment Theory
Strategy-Based Theories
Interview with Dr. Todd Shackelford
Chapter 6: Sexuality Development and Developmental Psychology
Development of Gender
Interview with Gender Identity Expert Dr. Kenneth Zucker
Interview with Transgender Author and Clinician Dr. Diane Ehrensaft
The Development of Sexual Behavior
The Maturation of Sexual Behavior
Developmental Abnormalities
Congenital Adrenal Hyperplasia
Biological Influences on Homosexuality
Chapter 7: The Psychology of Sexual Anatomy and Physiology
The External Male Sex Organs
The Internal Male Sex Organs
Hormones: Reproduction, and Sexual Development
Male Sexual Functions
The Female External Sex Organs
The Internal Female Reproductive System
Hormones and Reproduction
The Female Sexual Response
Sexual Responses in Men and Women
Aging
Chapter 8: Theories of Love and Attachment and Mating
The Evolutionary Approach to Love
Evolution, Cognition, and Motivation
Attachment Theory
Rational Emotive Behavior Therapy
Neurology and the Science of Love
Interview with Dr. Helen Fisher
Relationships and Commitment
Chapter 9: Dating and Mating
The Psychology of Dating
Evolutionary Perspectives on Dating/Mating Behavior
Interview with Dr. Douglas Kenrick
Mate Choice
Short-Term Mating Strategies
Case of Roderick
Long-Term Mating Strategies
Issues in Relationships
Culture and Sexual Behavior
Sexual Orientation
Agrarian and Hunter-Gatherer Societies versus Industrial Societies
Eastern versus Western

Sexual Pathologies
Current Trends in Courtship and Mating
Chapter 10: Sexual Disorders and Paraphilias
Classifying Sexual Disorders and Dysfunctions
Perspectives on Sexual Dysfunction
Prevalence and Incidence of Sexual Disorders
Paraphilias
Case of Andy: A Paraphile Seeking Help
Dimensions of Paraphilic Sexuality
The Structure of Paraphilias
Prevalence of Paraphilias
Theories Related to Paraphilia
Theories of Masochistic Sexuality
Evolutionary Perspectives
Chapter 11: Treatment of Sexual Problems
Case of Sharon: Abuse, Masochism, and Troilism
The Nuances of Sexual Assessment
Case of Fabrice
Common Factors in Sexual Treatments
Cognitive Approach
Behavioral Approach
Treatment of Troubled Relationships
Paraphilias
Problems with Arousal
The Case of Lorraine and Mark – Loss of Passion
Infidelity or "Cheating"
The Case of Linda and Vlad’s Marital Infidelity
Chapter 12: Sexuality and the Internet
Online Sexual Activities
Dating and Casual Encounters
Dating and Hookup Statistics
Cybersex
Pornography
Adult Websites
Interview with Mike Stabile
Erotic Stories
Gender Differences in Online Sexual Behaviors
The Case of Arnet
Effects of Online Sexual Material
Self-Expression
Online Sexual Predators
References