Understanding Psychology (10th Ed)

 Key Concepts 
What is “normal” sexual 
behavior? 
How do most people behave 
sexually? 
How prevalent are rape and 
other forms of nonconsenting 
sex, and what are their causes? 
What are the major sexually 
transmitted infections? 
What sexual diffi
culties do 
people most frequently 
encounter?
M O D U L E 3 4
The Diversity of Sexual Behavior
Times change: The veiled sexuality of Victorian-era paintings has given way to a more frank 
acknowledgment of sexual behavior.
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Module 34 
The Diversity of Sexual Behavior 
363
Approaches to Sexual Normality
One approach is to defi ne abnormal sexual behavior in terms of deviation from the 
average, or typical, behavior. To determine abnormality, we simply observe what 
behaviors are rare and uncommon in a society and label those deviations from the 
norm as abnormal. 
The diffi culty with such an approach, however, is that some behaviors that are 
statistically unusual hardly seem worthy of concern. Even though most people have 
sexual intercourse in the bedroom, does the fact that someone prefers sex in the din-
ing room imply abnormality? If some people prefer portly sexual partners, are they 
abnormal in a society that holds slimness in high regard? Since the answer to both 
of these questions is clearly no, an approach that defi nes sexual abnormality in terms 
of deviation from the average is inappropriate. (The same diffi culties are encountered 
in considering defi nitions of psychological abnormality.) 
An alternative approach would be to compare sexual behavior against some 
standard or ideal. But here, again, there is a problem: What standard should we use? 
Some of us might suggest philosophy, some might turn to the Bible, and some might 
even consider psychology the ultimate determinant. The trouble is that none of these 
potential sources of standards is universally acceptable. Furthermore, since standards 
change radically with shifts in societal attitudes and new knowledge, such an 
approach is undesirable. For instance, 40 years ago, the American Psychiatric Asso-
ciation labeled homosexuality a mental illness. However, as evidence to the contrary 
accumulated, in 1973 the organization determined that homosexuality should no lon-
ger be considered a mental disorder. Obviously the behavior had not changed. Only 
the label the psychiatric profession gave it had been modifi ed. 
In light of the diffi culties with other approaches, probably the most reasonable 
defi nition of sexual normality is one that considers the psychological consequences of 
the behavior. In this approach, sexual behavior is considered abnormal if it produces 
a sense of distress, anxiety, or guilt—or if it is harmful to some other person. Accord-
ing to this view, then, sexual behaviors can be seen as abnormal only when they have 
a negative impact on a person’s sense of well-being or if they hurt someone else. 
It is important to recognize that what is seen as normal and what is seen as 
abnormal sexual behavior are dictated primarily by societal values; there have been 
Same-sex marriages, already legal in 
some states, represent a signifi cant 
social issue dividing people in the 
United States.