Böcker av Paul R. Abramson

Sarah is the detailed case history of a UCLA undergraduate, written by a UCLA psychology professor. It is a unique case of psychological survival. Despite vicious sexual abuse, Sarah has managed to adapt, survive, and grow.Balancing the intense emotional impact of Sarah's first-person account, Dr. Abramson's commentary is interpolated throughout the record of Sarah's life. Sarah's story was obtained from seven months of interviewing, plus her diaries, drawings, family photographs, and four years of follow-ups, correspondence, and observations. This book is significant in that it documents psychological resolution in the face of endless abuse and trauma. Dr. Abramson provides an unusual perspective by focusing less on the damage associated with abuse and more on Sarah's gradual development of successful means of coping and surmounting negative patterns. He writes:"If you read carefully, in between the abuse and self-destructive behaviors, Sarah emerges as an active, striving individual. Sarah does not give up-she is appalled, angry, depressed and confused, but she keeps fighting to maintain her integrity. The resolution of Sarah's existential dilemma was the emergence of faith in herself."

The Constitution of the United States guarantees all Americans certain rights, such as the freedoms of speech and religious expression. But what guarantees our sexual freedoms? This title presents a look at the constitutional basis of sexual rights in America.

David's Politics evaluates what we can learn about politics by studying David's life as presented in the Books of Samuel through the first two chapters of 1 Kings. I begin by discussing the rules for kingship set forth in Deuteronomy and carry this through to the elders' demand that the prophet Samuel appoint a king. Despite his reluctance he appoints Saul, who has many military successes. But when he fails when he fails to annihilate the Amalekites God withdraws his grace and Saul falls into a state of depression, which grows worse as the story progresses.David is called to Saul's court as a musician. I argue that he has three roles, first as a servant to King Saul, second as a rebel against Saul, and third as king. As a servant to Saul, David establishes his credentials as a warrior and also becomes the king's son-in-law. As a rebel against Saul, David again takes actions that solidify his future support in Israel and Judah. David has two opportunities to kill Saul, but refuses to kill him. He also cements his political support in Judah.After becoming king, David's military successes are the prime reason for his support. He also administered justice, which may have further bolstered his legitimacy. Indeed, David did what was right ';all the days of his life, except in the matter of Uriah the Hittite' (1 Kings 15:5). By committing adultery with Bathsheba, Uriah's wife, and by having Uriah murdered, David brings grief upon himself and his family: the rape of his only named daughter, the murder of Amnon, his first-born son and the death in battle of Absalom, who is probably David's oldest surviving son. Throughout most of this account David displays remarkable political sagacity, and more can be learned studying his life than that of any other king of Israel or Judah.

Spanning the chasm of the nature versus nurture debate, this work discusses human sexuality as a complex interaction of genetic potentials and cultural influences. Topics covered include: gender differences; the role of physical attractiveness in mate selection; and genetic and hormonal factors.