This article was downloaded by: [Central Michigan University]
On: 08 October 2014, At: 08:03
Publisher: Routledge
Informa Ltd Registered in England and Wales Registered Number: 1072954 Registered
office: Mortimer House, 37-41 Mortimer Street, London W1T 3JH, UK
Journal of Sex & Marital Therapy
Publication details, including instructions for authors and
subscription information:
http://www.tandfonline.com/loi/usmt20
A Review of “Human Sexuality and Its
Problems (3rd ed.)”
a a
Meg S. Kaplan Ph.D. & Richard B. Krueger M.D.
a
Columbia University, College of Physicians & Surgeons, Department
of Psychiatry , New York, New York, USA
Published online: 07 Jan 2011.
To cite this article: Meg S. Kaplan Ph.D. & Richard B. Krueger M.D. (2010) A Review of “Human
Sexuality and Its Problems (3rd ed.)”, Journal of Sex & Marital Therapy, 37:1, 72-73, DOI:
10.1080/0092623X.2011.534674
To link to this article: http://dx.doi.org/10.1080/0092623X.2011.534674
PLEASE SCROLL DOWN FOR ARTICLE
Taylor & Francis makes every effort to ensure the accuracy of all the information (the
“Content”) contained in the publications on our platform. However, Taylor & Francis,
our agents, and our licensors make no representations or warranties whatsoever as to
the accuracy, completeness, or suitability for any purpose of the Content. Any opinions
and views expressed in this publication are the opinions and views of the authors,
and are not the views of or endorsed by Taylor & Francis. The accuracy of the Content
should not be relied upon and should be independently verified with primary sources
of information. Taylor and Francis shall not be liable for any losses, actions, claims,
proceedings, demands, costs, expenses, damages, and other liabilities whatsoever or
howsoever caused arising directly or indirectly in connection with, in relation to or arising
out of the use of the Content.
This article may be used for research, teaching, and private study purposes. Any
substantial or systematic reproduction, redistribution, reselling, loan, sub-licensing,
systematic supply, or distribution in any form to anyone is expressly forbidden. Terms &
Conditions of access and use can be found at http://www.tandfonline.com/page/terms-
and-conditions
72 Book Reviews
Human Sexuality and Its Problems (3rd ed.), by John Bancroft. London:
Elsevier, 2009. 546 pages, $106.00 (paperback).
John Bancroft is the former director of and current senior research fel-
low at the Kinsey Institute; he is a leading authority in the field of human
sexuality. In the third edition of Human Sexuality and Its Problems, updated
from the second edition published in 1989 (the first edition being published
in 1983), he has written a comprehensive, broad, cross-disciplinary reference
text on human sexuality. He has undertaken an enormous task, given the
explosive increase in literature, and has succeeded.
The core structural theme and major strength of this volume is the
careful integration of biological, psychological, and sociocultural viewpoints
Downloaded by [Central Michigan University] at 08:03 08 October 2014
and literature.
This book is intended for health professionals, academics, and students.
It is divided into 16 chapters and begins with a discussion of models of
human sexuality and the role of theory.
The first half of the book discusses biological and sociocultural topics,
including sexual differentiation and the development of gender identity,
sexual arousal and response, sexual development, heterosexuality, sexuality
and aging, homosexuality and bisexuality, sexual variations, transgender,
gender nonconformity, and transvestism.
The second part of the book more closely examines problems related
to sexuality, including the nature of problematic sexuality, and assessment
and treatment options for helping people with sexual problems. He presents
excellent reviews of treatment and outcome research for problems of re-
duced sexual interest or response, problematic sexual behavior, and sexual
or gender identity problems.
Separate chapters also discuss sexual aspects of medical practice and
sexual aspects of fertility. He has added a new chapter on HIV/AIDS and
other sexually transmitted infections, noting that funding for sex research
has been driven by HIV transmission (Chapter 14). A final chapter on sexual
offenses presents an excellent cross-national and cross-cultural discussion of
sexual offenses comparing the United States and the United Kingdom and
focuses not only on offenses and offenders and their treatment, but also on
victims.
After his initial discussion of theory, Bancroft continues to elaborate the-
ories, models, and hypotheses throughout other chapters. The dual-control
model, for example, is explained in the theoretical chapter and then dis-
cussed in many of the chapters, such as when he discusses high-risk be-
havior and homosexuality and bisexuality. Then, in discussing sex therapy
for the couple in Chapter 12, problems of reduced sexual interest or re-
sponse, Bancroft states that the dual-control model guides how he con-
ceptualizes the treatment process. He covers controlled and uncontrolled
treatment outcome studies, prognostic indicators of response to sex therapy,
Book Reviews 73
empirical validation, and outcomes of integrated psychological and medical
treatment.
Of particular clinical value is the section on current status of the treat-
ment of sexual problems, including when to treat and which treatment to
use, with clinical illustrations.
As in previous editions, Bancroft has included a personal statement in
which he is explicit about his values, stressing the importance of responsi-
bility, gender equality, and acceptance of responsible diversity.
Bancroft’s explication on various subjects, such as sadomasochism, is
detailed and always accompanied with a critical sense of the strength and
nature of the evidence and articles he presents and the conclusions that can
be drawn from them.
Downloaded by [Central Michigan University] at 08:03 08 October 2014
If there is a criticism that can be levied, it is that although the breadth of
Bancroft’s expertise is extensive and his grasp penetrating, the literature re-
viewed is not exhaustive and the scholarly reader would still have to consult
specialized texts or articles to fill in the gaps in any particular knowledge
area.
This book is encyclopedic and a valuable source of information for both
scholars and clinicians. It presents an exceptional review of salient theory
and research in the field of human sexology in a wide variety of domains
and should be in everyone’s library. We highly recommend it.
Meg S. Kaplan, Ph.D. and Richard B. Krueger, M.D.
Columbia University, College of Physicians & Surgeons
Department of Psychiatry
New York, New York, USA
Attachment Theory and Research in Clinical Work With Adults, by
Joseph H. Obegi and Ety Berant (Eds.) New York and London: Guilford
Press, 2009. 529 pages, $55.00 (hardback).
Various ideas and research findings regarding “the enduring ties that one
adult has for another who fulfills needs for safety and comfort” (p. 4) have
been complied by editors Joseph H. Obegi and Ety Berant in this comprehen-
sive book. Obegi and Berant take an optimistic view toward the potential of
applying various outlooks regarding attachment research and theory in clin-
ical settings. They highlight that a variety of relationships can “rehabilitate,
aggravate or undermine previous feelings of both security and insecurity”
(p. 6). The clinicians represented in this book are looking through the lens
of a client who is acting too dominant or submissive, or too warm or cool,
and find that associated with each of these four attachment styles, a system-
atic pattern of problems often emerges.
