Plays Well in Groups provides a historical and cultural history of group sex throughout the ages. From depictions in Paleolithic cave art to the Playboy mansion, Katherine Frank delves into the fields of sociology, biology, anthropology, and psychology to provide explanations for both, participation in group sex and the complex reactions to it—from fascination to fear. This book draws on survey research, ethnographic observation around the world, and interviews with participants to offer a cross-cultural look at the manifestations and meanings of group sex; who has it, and why.

Group sex is by definition non-monogamous, although not all kinds of non-monogamy involve group sex. Having sex willingly in the presence of observers, or with multiple participants, crosses a line of social propriety in many societies. Links between ritual sex and spirituality have been found throughout history, and words like “bliss,” “passion,” and “ecstasy” can describe both spiritual and sexual highs. Although anthropologists have identified very few, if any, truly universal taboos, taboos, such as public displays of sexual behavior and multiple, consecutive partners, are still widespread. Frank aims to bring forth some general explanations for these taboos that are present in local and specific explorations of human activity.