Sex Research and Sex Therapy: A Sociological Analysis of Masters and Johnson

213 Pages·2007·1.27 MB·English

by  Ross Morrow

Sex Research and
Sex Therapy
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Sex Research and
Sex Therapy
A Sociological Analysis of
Masters and Johnson
Ross Morrow
New York London
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Routledge Routledge
Taylor & Francis Group Taylor & Francis Group
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New York, NY 10016 Milton Park, Abingdon
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© 2008 by Ross Morrow
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Library of Congress Cataloging-in-Publication Data
Morrow, Ross, 1962-
Sex research and sex therapy : a sociological analysis of Masters and Johnson / Ross
Morrow.
p. ; cm. -- (Routledge advances in sociology ; 32)
Includes bibliographical references and index.
ISBN 978-0-415-40652-9 (hardback : alk. paper)
1. Masters, William H. Human sexual response. 2. Masters, William H. Human
sexual inadequacy. 3. Johnson, Virginia E. 4. Sex (Biology)--Research--United
States--History--20th century. 5. Sex therapy--Research--United
States--History--20th century. 6. Sexology--Research--United States--History--20th
century. 7. Sex (Biology)--Social aspects--United States. 8. Sex therapy--Social
aspects--United States. 9. Sexology--Social aspects--United States. I. Title. II. Series.
[DNLM: 1. Masters, William H. Human sexual response. 2. Masters, William H.
Human sexual inadequacy. 3. Johnson, Virginia E. 4. Sexology. 5. Research Design.
6. Sexual Behavior. 7. Sexual Dysfunction, Physiological. 8. Sexual Dysfunctions,
Psychological. HQ 21 M883s 2007]
QP251.M67 2007
612.6072--dc22 2007009902
Visit the Taylor & Francis Web site at
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Contents
Acknowledgments ix
1 Introduction 1
2 The Sociology of Sex in Historical Perspective 7
3 Theoretical Perspectives on Sexuality 49
4 Masters and Johnson’s Research on Human Sexual Response 75
5 A Critique of Masters and Johnson’s Model of the Human
Sexual Response Cycle 97
6 A Critique of Masters and Johnson’s Concept and Classifi cation
of Sexual Dysfunction 115
7 A Critique of Masters and Johnson’s Sex Therapy Program 143
8 Conclusion 175
References 181
Index 197
vii
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Acknowledgments
Most of the research for this book occurred while I was working at the
University of Newcastle, New South Wales. This was during a time of sub-
stantial decline in relative public funding of Australian universities despite
healthy federal budget surpluses. This decline of funding was compounded
by the well-publicised fi nancial diffi culties of the university itself. The
declining funds and the resulting squeeze on academic labour, not sur-
prisingly, led to many adverse consequences, including the loss of time for
research, refl ection and writing. This undoubtedly delayed the research for
this book which was not completed until I left the university in 2005. Given
the diffi cult gestation of the research, I am particularly grateful to those
people who kindly helped and supported me during this time.
Rachel Sharp has been a wonderful mentor, friend and supporter who
believed in this project all the way through and who kindly gave me assis-
tance whenever I needed it. She was particularly helpful with some of the
more diffi cult issues that came up. Mervyn Hartwig and Caroline New
both made helpful comments on an earlier version of the manuscript. They,
along with Rachel, have been most supportive colleagues and friends.
Together, they also exposed me to an engaging and stimulating intellectual
milieu outside my university environment. This has enlivened my inter-
ests and imagination, deepened my knowledge and sharpened my critical
skills.
My friend and colleague Peter Khoury has been an unfailing source of
support, encouragement, good ideas and sagely advice. He also read and
gave valuable feedback on key parts of the manuscript. Without his kind
assistance this book would not have been produced and I owe him more
than I can say here. Robert Irvine generously and frequently passed on
references and research material he came across while trawling through the
research literature. He was a supportive friend and colleague and a criti-
cal interlocutor with me about many issues. Karen McLeod gave patient,
cheerful and invaluable assistance in typing, formatting and revising the
original manuscript.
ix
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