u10d1 Prostitutes

Identify and discuss five of the most common motives for engaging in sexual activity with a prostitute. As a
psychologist, you work with individuals with various types of sexual disorders and dysfunctions. Often, men who
engage in sexual activity with prostitutes are arrested and referred to you for treatment. What type of treatment
approach would you use with these individuals?
Framing prostitution as an example of social exchange theory can provide valuable insights into
the nature of prostitution and the reasons for economic exchange for clientele. Social exchange
theory is basically an economic model of human behavior by which individuals are motivated to
maximize profit and minimize loss in social relationships (Kassin, Fein & Markus, 2008).
Prostitution is basically the enactment of social exchange theory involving the exchange of
something of value, usually money, for the sexual use of anothers body.
Many researchers postulate that this market oriented rationale leads to the commodification of
sexuality (Monto & Julka, 2009). Its important to note that not all men who visit prostitutes
view it primarily as an economic exchange. However, research indicates that frequency of visits
to prostitutes correlates with the conceiving of sex as a commodity (Monto & Julka, 2009).
What factors might be associated with visiting a prostitute and conceiving os sex as a
commodity?
Rathus, Nevid & Fichner-Rathus (2004) cite several reasons why men visit prostitutes:
1) Sex without negotiation. Rather than endure the process of a conventional relationship, men
often cite that prostitution allows them to avoid the obligations of a normal relationship.
Biologically speaking, the male libido is strong enough to negotiate payment for immediate
gratification without the formalities of a committed relationship.
2) Sex without commitment. This motive for engaging in sex with prostitutes is related to the
above mentioned motive, with one exception. Social exchange theory becomes the basis for the
purely reductionist exchange of sex services for money without any attachments or hidden costs.
The simplicity of the economic exchange is imperative.
3) Sex for eroticism and variety. Often men are looking for adventurous sexual experiences and
often turn to prostitutes to fulfill sexual fantasies. Men currently in relationships but frustrated
with the sexual behavior of their partners may seek out more bizarre sex services for this reason.
Its important to note that men who objectify prostitutes and view sex as commodity may be
more prone to sexual violence, less frequent condom use and acceptance of rape myths (Monto
& Julka, 2009).
4) Sex away from home. It is common for businessmen to engage in sex services when outside
of their local social network and accountability structures. Traveling businessmen may also be
encouraged by lacal sponsoring companies, as a means of social exchange, to be entertained by
prostitutes. This is very common here in Thailand, which has perhaps the most prostitutes per
capita in the world today.
5) Problematical sex. Men with disabilities, physical impairments of various types, and those
who have difficulty finding partners, may frequent prostitutes. Many of these type of men have
been seen here in Thailand. Men in their 60s and 70s are often seen walking down the street
with 18-21 year old Thai girls.
Counseling with someone arrested for visiting a prostitute would involve examining the
circumstances of the event, sexual/relational history, and looking deeper into the subconscious
motivations for visiting a prostitute than the act itself. Research indicates men visit prostitutes as
an occasional activity rather than the primary means of meeting their sexual needs and most are
already involved in conventional sexual relationships with a regular partner (Monto & Julka,
2009).
This authors therapeutic model consists of a holistic approach (see attachment). My emphasis
on a holistic and dialectical modality is comprised of psychological conceptions from
developmental/cognitive theory, Gestalt, and analytical psychology. The model that I prefer is
derived and adapted from a dialectical model developed by Laub, & Weiner, (2007). I have
altered the model to reflect a foundational and operational emphasis on developmental theory as
the psychological cornerstone to theory integration, use of Gestalt psychology, and archetypes
and self concept in transpersonal psychology. The model represents an epistemological
presupposition that the transpersonal understanding of human consciousness manifests as stages
of human cognition over and beyond the egoic, rational mind (Markides, 2008).
The model consists of three stratified levels of interactive relational dilemmas: intrapersonal,
interpersonal and transpersonal. In each of these levels, attachment theory, cognitive, social and
moral development, and self concept analysis are included as underpinnings of developmental
principles within the contextual factors of client pathology. The model also illustrates the
polarity tension of the therapeutic process as a horizontal axis, and the healing energy and client
pathology are represented by the vertical axis vectors.
Anthony Rhodes
General Psychology Ph.D
References
Kassin, S. Fein, S. & Markus, H. (2008). Social psychology (7th ed.). Boston: Houghton Mifflin.
ISBN: 9780618989966.
Laub, B., & Weiner, N. (2007). The Pyramid Model - Dialectical Polarity In Therapy. Journal of
Transpersonal Psychology, 39(2), 199-221. Retrieved March 3, 2010, from ProQuest
Psychology Journals. (Document ID: 1464829601).

Markides, K.. (2008). Eastern Orthodox Mysticism and Transpersonal Theory. Journal of
Transpersonal Psychology, 40(2), 178-198. Retrieved March 6, 2010, from ProQuest
Psychology Journals. (Document ID: 1738204481).
Monto, M. A., & Julka, D. (2009). Conceiving of Sex as a Commodity: A Study of Arrested
Customers of Female Street Prostitutes. Western Criminology Review, 10(1), 1-14. Retrieved
from EBSCOhost.
Rathus, S. A., Nevid, J. S., & Fichner-Rathus, L. (2004). Human sexuality in a world of
diversity (6th ed.). Boston: Allyn & Bacon. ISBN: 0205406157.