Summary
Studies in the Psychology of Sex, Volume 2: Sexual Selection in Man by Havelock Ellis continues his pioneering exploration into human sexuality, this time focusing on courtship, attraction, and sexual selection. In this volume, Ellis examines the psychological and biological factors that influence how individuals choose mates—delving into emotions like modesty, shyness, coquetry, and love.
Drawing from a mix of personal testimonies, cultural customs, evolutionary theory, and psychological insight, Ellis investigates how gender roles, beauty standards, and social behavior shape sexual dynamics between men and women.
His writing reflects a desire to treat sexuality as a legitimate subject of scientific study—one that encompasses both physiology and emotion.
Though framed by the sensibilities of the early 20th century, Volume 2 remains a key work in the history of sexology, offering valuable insights into how human attraction and mating behavior have been understood across cultures and time.