The Dual Control Model

Abstract

This article presents the dual control model, which was developed by John Bancroft and Erick Janssen together with other colleagues at the Kinsey Institute of Indiana University (Bloomington, USA). The dual control model postulates the existence of two relatively independent neurophysiological systems, the respective characteristics of which are of central importance for the inter-individual variability in human sexual experience and behavior: a system of sexual excitation (orig.: sexual excitation) and a system of sexual inhibition (orig.: sexual inhibition). This article provides a description of the essential theoretical and empirical characteristics of the dual control model in the form of a narrative review and presents the most important methods for measuring sexual excitation and inhibition: the Sexual Inhibition/Sexual Excitation Scales (SIS/SES) and their adaptations, including the German translation. Subsequently, the relevance of the dual control model for sexological and therapeutic research and practice is presented based on the results of empirical studies conducted to date, with the focus initially on general sexual behavior and experience and then specifically discussing the clinical-therapeutic potential of the dual control model.