Review
The section of terms as well as the difference between sexual orientation and gender identity up front is great—one of my challenges is trying to get the average student to come to terms with all the terms as well as try to understand that a gay male or lesbian does not have a gender identity disorder. The content is set out in a logical progression which allows the student to understand basic concepts before trying to integrate material. Good blend of content supported by research literature (especially Canadian research). The section on cross culture perspective was good especially the section on Sambian looking at how values and belief of various cultures around homosexuality influences the political views in areas where the culture is dominant which in turn influences acceptance. Good, clean description of laws around sexual assault. Really liked the section on incidence of sexual assault—I was surprised by some of the Canadian statistics which are contradictory to some other areas around the world. Also the various examples from around the world were useful to understand some of the diversity of issues around sexual assault. Well done! I was surprised at seeing several new Canadian studies included that I was not aware of. I also liked how the research was identified as being from e.g. University of Quebec researcher. Both chapters are appropriately written at a level that is appropriate for University and college courses. I also found that the content got more complex however the reading level remained at the same level.
Shaniff Esmail, University of Alberta
What stands out is that there is a pretty good amount of Canadian studies to round out the American data. This is very important to me as a teacher. I like the inclusion of the Canadian data very much. The chapter [9] contains relevant and current studies.
Dawn More, Algonquin College
The Rathus text is very impressive—at first glance it seems like it may be more comprehensive in dealing with issues than the Hyde book—and this is great. I was very impressed with the inclusion of very current and relevant issues like gay marriage in Canada and issues relating to sexuality and the internet.
University of Calgary
There was definitely a lot of Canadian content and the research quoted came from right across Canada which I thought was great. I felt the research was well done and the examples were excellent. Canadian content excellent.
Humber College
--This text refers to the Paperback edition.
Book Description
From the Back Cover
Human Sexuality in a World of Diversity, Seventh Edition, examines the rich diversity found in human sexuality and helps students develop their own opinions by promoting critical thinking skills, personal sexual health awareness, and responsible decision-making. Firmly rooted in science, the text systematically encourages students to apply the research to their own lives.
High-interest features support student learning:
- Every chapter opens with a Truth or Fiction? quiz that motivates students to challenge common sense, stereotypes, and folklore. Then, throughout the chapter, Truth or Fiction Revisited sections provide feedback to students regarding the accuracy of their assumptions in light of the evidence presented in the chapter.
- A new feature, SafeZone, features real questions from actual college students, as posed to college instructors throughout the county, accompanied by the authors’ responses. SafeZone answers some of the unasked questions and helps students feel more comfortable asking their own questions.
- The World of Human Sexuality boxes help students better understand how cultural beliefs, values, and attitudes can influence the expression of sexuality, and introduce them to cultural differences related to gender roles, sexual orientation, sexual jealousy, and premarital and extramarital sexual patterns.
- A Closer Look boxes provide in-depth discussions of scientific techniques and skill-building exercises such as “Breast Self-Examination,” Self-Examination of the Testes,” and “What to Do If You Suspect You Have Contracted an STD.”
- Students gain extra support from features like the “Self Assessment” boxed tests, and the “Reflect” and “Critical Thinking” notes in the margins. “Review” and “Recite” sections at the ends of chapters help students reinforce what they have learned.
About the Author
Spencer A. Rathus received his PhD from the University at Albany. He is on the faculty at The College of New Jersey. His areas of interest include psychological assessment, cognitive behavior therapy, and deviant behavior. He is the originator of the Rathus Assertiveness Schedule, which has become a Citation Classic. He has authored several books, including Psychology: concepts and Connections; PSYCH, HDEV, CDEV, Essentials of Psychology, and Childhood and Adolescence: Voyages in Development. He co-authored Making the Most of College with Lois Fichner-Rathus; AIDS: What Every Student Needs To Know with Susan Boughn; and Behavior Therapy, Psychology and the Challenges of Life, Your Health and Health in the New Millennium with Jeffrey S. Nevid. His professional activities include service on the American Psychological Association Task Force on Diversity Issues at the Precollege and Undergraduate Levels of Education in Psychology, and on the Advisory Panel, American Psychological Association, Board of Educational Affairs (BEA) Task Force on Undergraduate Psychology Major Competencies.
Jeffrey S. Nevid is Professor of Psychology at St. John's University in New York, where he directs the Doctoral Program in Clinical Psychology, teaches at the undergraduate and graduate levels, and supervises doctoral students in clinical practicum work. He received his Ph.D. in Clinical Psychology from the University at Albany and was a staff psychologist at Samaritan Hospital in Troy, New York. He later completed a National Institute of Mental Health Post-Doctoral Fellowship in Mental Health Evaluation Research at Northwestern University. He holds a Diplomate in Clinical Psychology from the American Board of Professional Psychology, is a Fellow of the Academy of Clinical Psychology, and has served on the editorial boards of several journals and as Associate Editor of the Journal of Consulting and Clinical Psychology. His publications have appeared his in such journals as Journal of Consulting and Clinical Psychology, Health Psychology, Journal of Occupational Medicine, Behavior Therapy, American Journal of Community Psychology, Professional Psychology: Research and Practice, Journal of Clinical Psychology, Journal of Nervous and Mental Disease, Teaching of Psychology, American Journal of Health Promotion, and Psychology and Psychotherapy.
Dr. Nevid is also author of the book, Choices: Sex in the Age of STDs and the introductory psychology text, Psychology: Concepts and Applications, as well as several other college texts in the fields of psychology and health that he coauthored with Spencer A. Rathus. Dr. Nevid has also been involved in conducting a program of pedagogical research focusing on helping students become more effective learners.
Lois Fichner-Rathus is Professor of Art in the Art Department of The College of New Jersey, where she has also chaired the Program in Gender Studies. She holds a combined undergraduate degree in fine arts and art history, an M.A. from the Williams College Graduate Program in the History of Art, and a Ph.D. in the History, Theory, and Criticism of Art from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology. Her areas of specialization include feminist art history and criticism, contemporary art, and modern art and architecture. She has authored several textbooks, including Understanding Art and Foundations of Art and Design. She has also published articles in professional journals and exhibited her large-format photographic prints.
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