How Sex Works

How Sex Works
Why We Look, Smell, Taste, Feel, and Act the Way We Do
Author	Sharon Moalem
Language	English
Subject	Science
Genre	Non-fiction
Publisher	Harper
Publication date	April 28, 2009
Publication place	United States
Media type	Hardback & Paperback
Pages	288 pp (hardback edition)
ISBN	9780061479656 (Hardback)
Preceded by	Survival of the Sickest: The Surprising Connections Between Disease and Longevity

How Sex Works: Why We Look, Smell, Taste, Feel, and Act the Way We Do is a 2009 book by evolutionary biologist and New York Times bestselling author Sharon Moalem, published by HarperCollins.^[1]^[2] The book examines the scientific reasons people are attracted to one another including the evolutionary underpinnings of sexual attraction, monogamy, and sexual orientation.^[3]^[4]

Overview

How Sex Works uses evolutionary biology to explore human sexuality, and how sexuality can influence society in terms of human relations and belief systems. The author examines the physiological purpose behind how sensory data is interpreted by the human body and its effect on human sexuality.^[5] Moalem arguest that menstruation, fertility, penis size, orgasm, ejaculation and contraception all have traces back to the "survival of the fittest" and the human desire to find a healthy partner for reproduction.^[6] The book covers other evolutionary factors influencing sexual attraction include pheremones, genetic makeup, immune system compatibility and ovulation.^[7]

The book uses various examples to illustrate the author's central point, including:^[1]^[2]

Body scents are linked to strength of immune systems, signaling potential mates on the viability of producing healthy offspring
Brazilian waxes have become more desirable as our subconscious attempts to eradicate pubic lice
Men watching pornography with other men in the shot (along with a female) can lead to increased sperm production due to the perceived competition
Women are more likely to fantasize about men who are not their partners during ovulation, more likely to lead to fraternal twins
Men are attracted to women with low waist-to-hip ratio (hourglass shape) because fatty acids stored in hip fat aid brain development in fetuses and lead to smarter children

Criticism

Kirkus Reviews called the book "provocative and entertaining" describing it as "a volume stuffed with information that avoids getting bogged down in difficult medical terms or complex biological concepts."^[5]

References

^ ^a ^b Cruz, Gilbert (4 May 2009). "How Sex Works". Time.
^ ^a ^b Winter, Jessica. "Between the Covers". Oprah.
^ "EXCERPT: 'How Sex Works'". ABC News.
^ Harris, Lynn. "Lynn Harris Reviews 'Behind the Bedroom Door,' 'How Sex Works,'". Washington Post.
^ ^a ^b "HOW SEX WORKS Why We Look, Smell, Taste, Feel, and Act the Way We Do". Kirkus Reviews.
^ "The Daily Beast Recommends". The Daily Beast.
^ A. Miller, Jen. "Review: 'How Sex Works: Why We Look, Smell, Taste, Feel, and Act the Way We Do,' by Dr. Sharon Moalem". Tampa Bay Times. Archived from the original on 2014-02-02. Retrieved 2014-02-12.

[time-1] Cruz, Gilbert (4 May 2009). "How Sex Works". Time.

[oprah-2] Winter, Jessica. "Between the Covers". Oprah.

[abc-3] "EXCERPT: 'How Sex Works'". ABC News.

[wp-4] Harris, Lynn. "Lynn Harris Reviews 'Behind the Bedroom Door,' 'How Sex Works,'". Washington Post.

[Kirkus-5] "HOW SEX WORKS Why We Look, Smell, Taste, Feel, and Act the Way We Do". Kirkus Reviews.

[db-6] "The Daily Beast Recommends". The Daily Beast.

[tbt-7] A. Miller, Jen. "Review: 'How Sex Works: Why We Look, Smell, Taste, Feel, and Act the Way We Do,' by Dr. Sharon Moalem". Tampa Bay Times. Archived from the original on 2014-02-02. Retrieved 2014-02-12.

[1]

[2]

[3]

[4]

[5]

[6]

[7]