Masters & Johnson The Science of Sex part 1

The Pioneers of Sex Research: Masters and Johnson

Introduction to Sexual Openness

• The cultural shift in America regarding sexual discussions is highlighted, noting a transition from fear to obsession with sex. Talk shows and magazines now openly discuss intimate sexual problems and techniques.

The Founders of Sex Therapy

• William Masters and Virginia Johnson are credited with founding the field of sex therapy, transforming human sexuality into a scientific discipline. Their landmark book became essential during the sexual revolution.

Background of William Masters

• William Masters, a gynecological surgeon, and Virginia Johnson, a divorced mother without formal training, became unlikely icons in sex research. They provided groundbreaking insights into male and female physiological responses during sexual activity.

Early Life Influences on Masters

• Born in 1915, Masters had a complex childhood marked by a close relationship with his mother but tension with his father. His early experiences may have shaped his later views on sexuality.

• Despite being labeled as potentially misogynistic in high school yearbooks, many dispute this claim based on evidence suggesting he had fair handwriting in personal letters.

Education and Career Path

• After excelling at Hamilton College in various sports and activities, including debate club and fraternity life, Masters initially aimed to become an English teacher before shifting focus to medical research due to World War II concerns.

• He entered the University of Rochester School of Medicine where he was influenced by Dr. George Washington Corner's pioneering work on reproductive hormones. This mentorship solidified his commitment to researching human sexuality.

Transitioning into Sex Research

• By 1942, after graduating from medical school, Masters faced skepticism about pursuing sex research due to its taboo nature at the time. Dr. Corner advised him to establish credibility first before delving into such controversial topics.

• Following advice from mentors, he built a successful career as an obstetrician/gynecologist while also starting a family before finally deciding to pursue sex research full-time around 1954 despite societal repression surrounding sexual discussions.

Societal Context for Sexual Research

• The era was characterized by conservative attitudes towards discussing sex openly; even educational content was limited or censored significantly during this period.

The Impact of Alfred Kinsey's Research on Sexual Behavior

Kinsey's Revelations

• A significant portion of the population, including 1/3 of surveyed individuals and 20% of faculty, believed that masturbation caused mental illness.

• Alfred Kinsey published groundbreaking findings in "Sexual Behavior in the Human Male" (1948) and "Sexual Behavior in the Human Female" (1953), revealing widespread sexual practices contrary to societal norms.

• Kinsey faced severe backlash for his work, particularly regarding female sexuality, which was taboo during the conservative 1950s.

Consequences of Kinsey's Work

• Despite criticism and funding cuts, Kinsey’s books became bestsellers and contributed to a shift in public attitudes towards sexual behavior.

• His research laid the groundwork for future studies into human sexuality by inspiring researchers like William Masters.

The Formation of Masters and Johnson's Research Team

Virginia Johnson's Background

• Dr. William Masters sought a mature woman with interpersonal skills for his research project; he found Virginia Johnson through a university placement ad.

• Johnson had a diverse background in music and modeling but shifted her focus to support her children after her second marriage ended.

Transitioning into Research

• Initially aiming for a doctorate in sociology, Johnson took an assistant position at Washington University instead due to financial pressures.

• With Johnson’s assistance, Masters was ready to pursue his long-held dream of conducting sex research.

Challenges and Breakthroughs in Sexual Research

Finding Subjects for Study

• In 1957, Masters and Johnson faced challenges recruiting volunteers but discovered many ordinary people were willing to participate.

• They initially encountered difficulties with fraternity pledges who were reluctant participants but eventually screened them out effectively.

Pioneering Scientific Studies

• Their study marked the first major scientific investigation into sexual response, observing over 700 subjects engaging in sexual activities within a laboratory setting.

Masters and Johnson: Pioneers of Sexual Research

The Secrecy Behind the Research

• Masters recognized the need for secrecy in their research, securing support from the University and local clergy to shield the project from criticism.

• In 1964, they moved their work off-campus to establish the Reproductive Biology Research Foundation, funded by private donations and small grants. Masters did not take a salary from this foundation.

Challenges in Publishing Findings

• Despite their efforts, prestigious medical journals rejected their research papers until 1966 when they were ready to publish after 12 years of work. At that time, America's sexual attitudes were becoming more liberal but lacked substantial new information.

• Masters highlighted that society knew more about space travel than female sexuality; even in the mid-60s, discussions around sex were often deemed pornographic. They aimed to control sensationalism surrounding their book "Human Sexual Response."

Publication Strategy

• The book was written as a medical textbook using dense scientific language and published by a conservative Boston publisher, Little Brown. They held briefings for select science writers before publication to mitigate misunderstandings or misinterpretations of their work.

• Upon release, "Human Sexual Response" sold out its initial print run of 15,000 copies within one day and went on to sell over 250,000 copies in its first year while remaining on bestseller lists for six months.

Societal Impact and Misconceptions

• The timing of the book's release coincided with changing sexual mores in America; had it been published earlier (in 1955 or 1960), it would have faced significant backlash due to prevailing taboos around sexuality.

• Masters and Johnson identified four phases of orgasm in women and debunked myths regarding female orgasms—showing that physiological responses are consistent regardless of stimulation type—contradicting Freud's theories on vaginal versus clitoral orgasms.

Personal Consequences of Their Work

• While "Human Sexual Response" became a bestseller, it also attracted negative attention; mail began pouring in immediately after publication, necessitating additional secretarial help to manage correspondence—80% being hostile reactions.