Sex Researchers:

It is difficult, if not impossible, to separate Virginia E. Johnson's work from the work of William H. Masters. They were a team that did research, wrote books, and developed therapeutic techniques dealing with issues of sexuality.
Right at the time of the sexual revolution of the 60's, Masters and Johnson were getting into full-swing with their work. They have been credited with helping give sexuality a new reputation of being something that is not abhorrent, dirty, or seedy, but rather something that is pleasurable and natural for humans. They approached sexuality, not only from a biological standpoint, but from a social/psychological/emotional standpoint, in that they gave credence to the desire for intimacy that is available with a sex partner (Discovery Health, 2002).

Through laboratory research on humans, they studied physical responses to stimulation, as well as what happens physiologically during orgasm. This type of research had not been done prior to their work. They came up with four phases that humans go through during sexual experiences, and they published books on their findings. Up to this point, sexuality had not been a socially acceptable topic of conversation in the general public, but through Masters and Johnson's approach, sexuality was brought out of the closet, so to speak. They also started a clinic where they worked with clients who had sexual dysfunction and other related issues. Along with their work with sexual dysfunction, Masters and Johnson worked with couples in their ability to fully experience the pleasure of sexual activity. Because of the clinical research they had done, there was much more information available to help people with their issues (Discovery Health, 2002). These researchers spoke candidly about topics related to sexuality and human physiology that had been taboo subjects up to that point. Through their work in the research labs, they discovered techniques to help men who suffered from premature ejaculation. They discovered, through dilators, what happens in a woman's vagina when she is sexually stimulated. They broached the subject of homosexuality and gender identity issues and explored the possibility of changing one's sexual preference from homosexual to heterosexual, although they did discount the previously supported theory that homosexuality was a mental illness. They also talked about emotional issues around sexuality that had not been discussed prior to this time. Basically, what Masters and Johnson did was bring the topic of sexuality out of the gutter and into the mainstream, where people could be better educated (Masters, Johnson, and Kolodny, 1982). Masters and Johnson were instrumental in helping change people's attitudes about discussing sexuality and in helping people understand what sexuality is really all about, from their perspective. They opened the door to the field of sex education in a way that it had never been thought of before. Because of their work and the way that they presented it, they became popular in mainstream America and were well-known authorities on the subject. They presented the topic of sexuality in a way that the average person could relate and understand what they were saying. From the information available, it would seem that many people were helped by the work of Masters and Johnson.

References
Discovery Health (2002). Masters and Johnson. Retrieved September 11, 2004 from http://health.discovery.com/centers/sex/sexpedia/mandj_print.html

Masters, W. H., Johnson, V. E., & Kolodny, R. C. (1982). Human Sexuality. Toronto, Canada: Little, Brown, and Company.

Masters, W. H., Johnson, V. E., & Kolodny, R. C. (1982). Masters and Johnson on sex and human loving. Toronto, Canada: Little, Brown, and Company.