There is a series of physiological and psychological changes that occur in the body during sexual behavior; this is referred to as our sexual response. Over the years, several models of this behavior have been proposed to explain the exact progression and nature of the human sexual response. These models are beneficial in helping physicians and therapists identify how dysfunction, disease, illness, and disability affect sexual functioning. The most well-known model has been Masters and Johnson’s sexual response cycle. We will review some critiques of this model, most notably, the “new view” of female sexuality proposed by Leonore Tiefer and colleagues.
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excitement
The first stage of the sexual response cycle, in which an erection occurs in males and vaginal lubrication occurs in females.
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Masters and Johnson’s Four-Phase Sexual Response Cycle
Based on their laboratory work (see Chapter 2), William Masters and Virginia Johnson proposed a four-phase model of physiological arousal known as the sexual response cycle (see Figure 10.2). This cycle occurs during all sexual behaviors in which a person progresses from excitement to orgasm, whether it is through oral or anal sex, masturbation, or vaginal intercourse. These physiological processes are similar for all sexual relationships, whether they are between heterosexual or homosexual partners.
The four phases of the sexual response cycle are excitement, plateau, orgasm, and resolution. The two primary physical changes that occur during the sexual response cycle are vasocongestion (VAZ-oh-conn-jest-shun) and myotonia (my-uh-TONE-ee-uh), which we will discuss in greater detail shortly.
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plateau
The second stage of the sexual response cycle, occurring prior to orgasm, in which vasocon — gestion builds up.
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I orgasm
The third stage of the sexual response cycle, which involves an intense sensation during the peak of sexual arousal and results in a release of sexual tension.
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