Sex Response Models
Masters and Johnson’s model of sexual response argues that sexual response happens in four major stages. The excitement stage is the first stage that is characterized by erotic stimuli, which may occur physically or mentally. Then, there is the plateau phase, characterized by increased blood circulation, heart rate, and increased pleasure from the stimuli. The orgasm phase is an orgasm that is characterized by uterine and virginal contraction in women and ejaculation in men. Then, there is the resolution phase, where the body’s muscles relax after orgasm (Abdo et al., 2021). This differs from Kaplan’s model because of the number of phases and the perspectives of each phase. For Kaplan, sexual response is best described in three phases. In her explanation, the three stages are desire, excitement, and orgasm. In Kaplan’s mind, the sexual stage, like a plateau, should not be there since a plateau is similar to excitement, only that it is increased excitement. Secondly, Kaplan merged certain stages, such as the excitement and plateau phase (Ferenidou et al., 2016). Furthermore, Kaplan’s model lacked the resolution phase because, to Kaplan, the resolution is not a phase in sexual response since there is no sex taking place. The other difference is in the new stage that Kaplan added to her model: the desired stage. This stage is essential since, according to Kaplan, sexual desire is a common problem, and it has to be there for the sexual encounter to take place.
Masters and Johnson’s model is also different from Loulan’s sexual response model because, in this model, other stages are added to the sexual response. Firstly, Loulan’s model has willingness as a phase that starts the sexual response. This phase is not seen in the Masters and Johnson’s model (Abdo et al., 2021). Moreover, in this model, the difference is in the number of phases because, according to Loulan, the sexual response has six phases, which begin with willingness, then followed by desire, excitement, engorgement, orgasm, and pleasure. Another thing that makes these models different is that in Master and Johnson’s model, the phases must take place in their order, starting with the first and going to the last. Loulan, however, argues that these phases do not have any particular order, It is not necessary for all of these phases to happen in order for a sexual response to take place.
According to Luria (2004), Masters and Johnson’s four-phase sexual response model was controversial because of two things. Firstly, they conducted research on sex during the 1960s, when such subjects were considered sensitive by conservatives. Hence, it was compassionate to study such an intimate subject and write about it. Secondly, it was also controversial because they used science to measure a topic like sexual encounters (Abdo et al., 2021). In other words, taking science into the bedroom was considered controversial. Also, the fact that they also studied prostitutes in the brothel and volunteers who were willing to engage in sexual intercourse under observation further made their research very controversial.
I cannot entirely agree with Johnson’s perspective that sexual problems result from poor communication and conflict between partners because some sexual problems can only be explained as results of personality and neurosis disorders. For instance, when an adult individual engages in sexual intercourse with a minor, rape cases, and other extreme sexual perversions can be considered sexual problems caused by personality and neurosis issues. However, Johnson is also suitable to a certain extent because sexual problems like marital rape and such kind can be considered as problems arising from poor communication and conflict between sexual partners. In other words, while I cannot agree with Johnson, his argument cannot be considered entirely wrong.
In my opinion, Kaplan’s sexual response model is the most accurate because it makes the sexual response simpler and does not subdivide some stages. Also, it clearly explains what happens during a sexual encounter (Ferenidou et al., 2016). For example, Kaplan begins with desire. Sexual desire has to be there in the first place for sex to happen. Moreover, the desire alone connotes the willingness to engage in sex, which means that Loulan has subdivided this stage. The desire then leads to excitement, which is increased based on the contact that one has with their sexual partner. Kaplan is accurate in this stage because it is normal for a person’s heart rate to increase when touching, kissing, and other activities taking place in this phase before orgasm. Kaplan then explains that orgasm is the phase where the sexual partners engage in sexual intercourse, which is very accurate. Therefore, when she ends the sexual response in this phase, it becomes more practical because anything after that is not a sexual encounter. Hence, her model is the most accurate.
References
Abdo, C. H. N. Nimbi, F.M. Carvalho, J. & Briken, P. (2021). Psychological Dimensions in Human Sexual Health and Behavior. Frontiers Media SA.
Ferenidou, F., Kirana, P. S., Fokas, K., Hatzichristou, D., & Athanasiadis, L. (2016). Sexual Response Models: Toward a More Flexible Pattern of Women’s Sexuality. The journal of sexual medicine, 13(9), 1369–1376. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jsxm.2016.07.008
Luria, M., Hochner-Celnikier, D., & Mock, M. (2004). Harefuah, 143(11), 804–838.
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Male and Female Sexual Response Models
Studies show that Masters and Johnson’s four-phase model of sexual response listed above 10,000 cycles of sexual arousal and orgasm in a period of twelve years to arrive at a conclusion about a model of sexual response. In this model, there are four successive phases to the sexual response cycle.
Sex Response Models
Based on your understanding of this model, compare the phases of this model to the following:
Kaplan’s triphasic model of sexual response
Loulan’s sexual response model
Why was Masters and Johnson’s four-phase model so controversial? Johnson argued that sexual problems are not the result of underlying neurosis or personality disorders, but are an outcome of lack of information, poor communication, or conflict between partners. Do you agree or disagree and why?
Which model, according to you, is the most accurate model that describes the human sexual response? Why?