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 SexualityCase of Elena and ArthurDefining SexThe Making of SexualityObjectives of This BookInterviews with Preeminent Researchers on SexualityInterview with David Buss, PhDChapter 2: The Basics of SexualitySexuality and GenderSexual ReproductionSexual Reproduction and Genetic VariationRed Queen HypothesisSexual CompetitionSperm Competitionr/K SelectionInterview with J. Philippe RushtonSexual DimorphismRelationship TypesMonogamyPair BondingReproductionSexual SelectionPolyandryChapter 3: History of Western SexualityThe Nature of Historical Sex: Desirability and DebaucherySex in the BibleAncient GreeceAncient RomeSexuality in the Medieval EraSexuality During the RenaissanceSexuality in the Eighteenth CenturyVictorianismThe Twentieth Century and the Sexual RevolutionFear in SexualityAn Interview with Dr. Joseph LedouxChapter 4: Major Figures in Sex Research and TheoryEarly Writings of SexualityDemons and Witchcraft: Early Explorations of Sexual Aberration and Mental IllnessThe Renaissance and the Development of SexologySex Research and the Reaction to VictorianismHeinrich 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 SexualityClelia Mosher (1863-1940)Robert Latou Dickinson (1861-1950)Katherine Bement Davis (1860-1935)The Psychoanalytical School of ThoughtSigmund Freud (1856-1939)Modern Science and Human SexualityPaulo 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 InstituteStudies in Gender and Sexual OrientationMichel Foucault (1926-1984)John Money (1921-2006)Cognitive Behavioral TherapyAlbert Ellis (1913-2007)Biological PerspectivesGordon Gallup, Jr. (1941- )Interview with Dr. Gordon GallupChapter 5: Theories and Perspectives on SexualityEssentialismSexual Motivation and the Feedback LoopEssentialism and Sexual OrientationHumanistic PerspectivesThe Decline of HumanismPsychoanalytic SchoolsConstructivist / Post-modern Perspectives of PsychoanalysisAnalytical PsychologyConstructivism and Social RelativismBio-Psycho-Social Point of ViewBehaviorismLegal ApproachSocial ConstructionismEvolutionary PerspectivesDevelopmental TheoryEvolution and Attachment TheoryStrategy-Based TheoriesInterview with Dr. Todd ShackelfordChapter 6: Sexuality Development and Developmental PsychologyDevelopment of GenderInterview with Gender Identity Expert Dr. Kenneth ZuckerInterview with Transgender Author and Clinician Dr. Diane EhrensaftThe Development of Sexual BehaviorThe Maturation of Sexual BehaviorDevelopmental AbnormalitiesCongenital Adrenal HyperplasiaBiological Influences on HomosexualityChapter 7: The Psychology of Sexual Anatomy and PhysiologyThe External Male Sex OrgansThe Internal Male Sex OrgansHormones: Reproduction, and Sexual DevelopmentMale Sexual FunctionsThe Female External Sex OrgansThe Internal Female Reproductive SystemHormones and ReproductionThe Female Sexual ResponseSexual Responses in Men and WomenAgingChapter 8: Theories of Love and Attachment and MatingThe Evolutionary Approach to LoveEvolution, Cognition, and MotivationAttachment TheoryRational Emotive Behavior TherapyNeurology and the Science of LoveInterview with Dr. Helen FisherRelationships and CommitmentChapter 9: Dating and MatingThe Psychology of DatingEvolutionary Perspectives on Dating/Mating BehaviorInterview with Dr. Douglas KenrickMate ChoiceShort-Term Mating StrategiesCase of RoderickLong-Term Mating StrategiesIssues in RelationshipsCulture and Sexual BehaviorSexual OrientationAgrarian and Hunter-Gatherer Societies versus Industrial SocietiesEastern versus Western Sexual PathologiesCurrent Trends in Courtship and MatingChapter 10: Sexual Disorders and ParaphiliasClassifying Sexual Disorders and DysfunctionsPerspectives on Sexual DysfunctionPrevalence and Incidence of Sexual DisordersParaphiliasCase of Andy: A Paraphile Seeking HelpDimensions of Paraphilic SexualityThe Structure of ParaphiliasPrevalence of ParaphiliasTheories Related to ParaphiliaTheories of Masochistic SexualityEvolutionary PerspectivesChapter 11: Treatment of Sexual ProblemsCase of Sharon: Abuse, Masochism, and TroilismThe Nuances of Sexual AssessmentCase of FabriceCommon Factors in Sexual TreatmentsCognitive ApproachBehavioral ApproachTreatment of Troubled RelationshipsParaphiliasProblems with ArousalThe Case of Lorraine and Mark – Loss of PassionInfidelity or "Cheating"The Case of Linda and Vlad’s Marital InfidelityChapter 12: Sexuality and the InternetOnline Sexual ActivitiesDating and Casual EncountersDating and Hookup StatisticsCybersexPornographyAdult WebsitesInterview with Mike StabileErotic StoriesGender Differences in Online Sexual BehaviorsThe Case of ArnetEffects of Online Sexual MaterialSelf-ExpressionOnline Sexual PredatorsReferences

"In Sexuality and Its Disorders, Mike Abrams shares a wealth of knowledge about sexual matters gleaned from decades of observation and study. He shares fascinating facts, such as the myriad reasons why people have sex in the first place. Who knew that there are scores of reasons that go way beyond the obvious one – people do it for pleasure? Anyone who appreciates that sex is a crucial component of life, and who wonders about its scientific underpinnings, will learn a great deal from this book."