Homosexuality in Perspective
Quick Summary
Homosexuality in Perspective (1979) is a controversial work by William H. Masters and Virginia E. Johnson. The book presented findings from a 14-year study of over 300 homosexual men and women. Masters and Johnson claimed that homosexuals could be converted to heterosexuality, a stance that generated significant debate within the medical community and the public.12
Their research suggested that a portion of their patients undergoing "conversion" or "reversion" treatment showed success. However, concerns were later raised by their associate, Robert Kolodny, and Virginia Johnson herself, regarding the veracity and fabrication of these conversion cases. Despite the controversy, Masters maintained confidence in their findings, believing the prospect of conversion therapy offered hope to patients.2
Ask Britannica AI about this topic
Britannica doesn't have a full article on this topic, so we've curated a list of our relevant coverage.
Masters and Johnson…and Johnson published the controversial Homosexuality in Perspective, a report on the clinical treatment of sexual problems affecting homosexuals. In the book, they described the conversion to heterosexuality of several dozen homosexuals, whom the researchers claimed wished to function as heterosexuals. They also wrote, with Robert C. Kolodny, Human Sexuality…
Read More…and Johnson published the controversial Homosexuality in Perspective, a report on the clinical treatment of sexual problems affecting homosexuals. In the book, they described the conversion to heterosexuality of several dozen homosexuals, whom the researchers claimed wished to function as heterosexuals. They also wrote, with Robert C. Kolodny, Human Sexuality…
Read More- William H. Masters
In Homosexuality in Perspective (1979), they claimed, to much controversy, that homosexuals could be converted to heterosexuality. Crisis: Heterosexual Behavior in the Age of AIDS (1988; with Kolodny), another controversial work, was widely discredited for inaccuracies in its portrayal of HIV/AIDS. Masters and Johnson divorced in…
Read MoreIn Homosexuality in Perspective (1979), they claimed, to much controversy, that homosexuals could be converted to heterosexuality. Crisis: Heterosexual Behavior in the Age of AIDS (1988; with Kolodny), another controversial work, was widely discredited for inaccuracies in its portrayal of HIV/AIDS. Masters and Johnson divorced in…
Read More 
Virginia E. Johnson…including the later, controversial works Homosexuality in Perspective (1979) and Crisis: Heterosexual Behavior in the Age of AIDS (1988, with Robert Kolodny). The couple divorced in 1993, and the institute closed in 1994. Several years later Johnson founded the Virginia Johnson Masters Learning Center in Creve Coeur, Missouri. The facility…
Read More…including the later, controversial works Homosexuality in Perspective (1979) and Crisis: Heterosexual Behavior in the Age of AIDS (1988, with Robert Kolodny). The couple divorced in 1993, and the institute closed in 1994. Several years later Johnson founded the Virginia Johnson Masters Learning Center in Creve Coeur, Missouri. The facility…
Read More