Chapter 2 describes three major theoretical perspectives on sexuality. In this chapter the authors:
- Define and discuss evolutionary perspectives, including sociobiology, a controversial theory defined as the application of evolutionary biology to understanding the social behavior of animals and humans, and evolutionary psychology, which focuses on psychological mechanisms that have been shaped by natural selection.
- Define and discuss psychological theories. These include Freud's psychoanalytic theory, various learning theories which are based in the belief that much of human sexual behavior is learned, and the theories of cognitive psychologists, who believe it is important to study the way people perceive and think.
- Define and discuss the theories and perspectives of sociologists, who study the ways in which society or culture shapes human sexuality. This includes looking at the basic institutions of society, such as religion and the family.