Sexual arousal in rapists

This research explores the validity of phallometric assessments with rapists. The sexual responses of a group of rapists on two assessments of sexual arousal to rape depiction are compared. Data on a group of child molesters are also examined for comparison. Relationships between sexual arousal and offense history variables, psychopathy, and actuarial risk assessment scores are also examined. Rapists, as a group, do not exhibit a sexual preference for depictions of rape as opposed to depictions of consensual sex with adult females on any of the assessments. Furthermore, when men are classified as either deviant or nondeviant according to their deviance indices, there is very low agreement between stimulus sets as to group membership. No meaningful relationships are found between sexual arousal and offense-related variables, psychopathy, or risk assessment measures. Results are discussed in terms of the validity of phallometric assessments.