Understanding Human Sexuality (Hardcover)

~ Janet Hyde (Author), John DeLamater (Author)

Editorial Reviews

Product Description

This trusted text examines the biological, psychological, and social science of human sexuality, provides practical information needed for everyday living, and familiarizes students with research methods used in sexuality. The author team features a unique combination of a psychologist and a sociologist, which gives this text a distinct interdisciplinary perspective. The thoroughly revised tenth edition of Hyde, Understanding Human Sexuality, has new features focusing on Sex Research, Sexual Diversity and the First Person, all in a briefer and better organized text! Hyde comes with access to SexSource Online, an online resource of quality video clips to accompany course material.

About the Author

Janet Shibley Hyde, Professor and Chair of the Department of Psychology, and Evjue-Bascom Professor of Women’s Studies at the University of Wisconsin--Madison, received her education at Oberlin College and the University of California, Berkeley. She has taught a course in human sexuality since 1974, first at Bowling Green State University, then at Denison University, and now at the University of Wisconsin. Her research interests are in gender differences and gender-role development in children. Author of the textbook Half the Human Experience: The Psychology of Women, she is currently President of the Society for the Scientific Study of Sexuality and is a Fellow of the American Psychological Association. She has received many other honours, including an award for excellence in teaching at Bowling Green State University, the Chancellor’s Award for teaching at the University of Wisconsin, and the Kinsey Award from the Society for the Scientific Study of Sexuality for career contributions to sex research. She is married to John DeLamater.

ohn D. DeLamater, Professor of Sociology at the University of Wisconsin--Madison, received his education at the University of California, Santa Barbara and the University of Michigan. He created the Human Sexuality course at the University of Wisconsin in 1975 and has taught it regularly since then. His research and writing are focused on social and psychological influences on human sexuality; his recent work is in the areas of HIV/AIDs and STD prevention. He is the coauthor of the textbook Social Psychology. He is a Fellow of the Society for the Scientific Study of Sexuality and Editor of The Journal of Sex Research. He has received awards for excellence in teaching from the Department of Sociology and Interfraternity Council-Panhellenic Association and is a member of the Teaching Academy at the University of Wisconsin. He regularly teaches a seminar for graduate students on teaching undergraduate courses. He is married to Janet Hyde.

Product Details

• Hardcover: 656 pages
• Publisher: McGraw-Hill Humanities/Social Sciences/Languages; 10 edition (December 13, 2007)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0073382620
• ISBN-13: 978-0073382623
• Product Dimensions: 11 x 8.8 x 1.1 inches
• Shipping Weight: 3.2 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 3.8 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (16 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #152,023 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

5 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

2.0 out of 5 stars Not so good, April 28, 2009

By	M. Hyland (Madison, WI USA) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

While this book does contain some good information, particularly in the chapters detailing the physiological side of sexuality, it greatly oversimplifies the subjective aspects of sexuality. Throughout the text, the authors present a married, monogamous, nuclear family lifestyle as the most valid expression of human sexuality, despite the fact that fewer and fewer people are choosing to structure their lives according to this standard. This attitude is particularly apparent in the chapters discussing sexual orientation, sexual variation, commercial sex, and other deviations from this ideal, always assuming that the reader isn't a member of any group discussed in these chapters and often presenting cliches about these groups as facts. While the book doesn't come out and espouse bigotry against any sexual minority groups, it also doesn't do much to challenge the stereotypes that inform such bigotry, either.

In short: buy this book if you want to know about anatomy, reproduction, contraception, or STIs. Don't buy this book if you're more interested in the psychology of sex.

2 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Awesome book, February 8, 2008

By	Liat Vashdi-bonanno "Liat" (NY, USA) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

This review is from: Understanding Human Sexuality with SexSource CD-ROM and PowerWeb (Hardcover)

I had to buy this book for a class and expected it to be very dry and... well.. a textbook. However, I was pleasantly surprised to find humor from the authors of this book, allowing me to actually enjoy a required reading. The book is written in an easy to understand language that doesnt boggle the mind and overwhelm. Great book!

1.0 out of 5 stars Unsure, September 24, 2009

By	Breezy - See all my reviews

Amazon Verified Purchase

I ran into many problems with this experience on ordering my book. I don't believe it was the sellers fault, the United States Postal Service lost my package and refused to remburse me for it. I am still talking with the seller to see if they will remburse me because I never received their product and ended up re-purchasing the book through Barnes&Noble on a Friday and received the book from B&N on the following Tuesday! Thank you B&N

So this was an unpleasant experience that I hope never happens to anyone else again!