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Sexual preference assessment of sexual aggressors: Predictors of penile response magnitude

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Abstract

A current method used to assess the sexual preference of sexual aggressors is the recording of their penile responses during the presentation of erotic stimuli. This method is ineffective in subjects who do not obtain sufficient penile responses. Whether variables related either to the subjects or their crimes would correlate with the magnitude of penile responses during sexual preference assessment was studied. The penile responses of 92 subjects were recorded. Older and presentencing subjects showed a lower maximum penile response magnitude than younger and sentenced subjects. Results are discussed as they relate to the validity of physiological assessment of sexual preference.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Institut Philippe Pinel de Montréal, 10905 est Henri Bourassa, H1C 1H1, Montreal, Quebec, Canada

    Louis Georges Castonguay Ph.D., Jean Proulx Ph.D., Jocelyn Aubut M.D. & André McKibben M.A.

  2. Unité de dysfonction et de développements sexuels, Hôpital St-Luc, 1058 St-Denis, H2X 3J4, Montreal, Quebec, Canada

    Michel Campbell Ph.D.

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  1. Louis Georges Castonguay Ph.D.
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  2. Jean Proulx Ph.D.
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  3. Jocelyn Aubut M.D.
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  4. André McKibben M.A.
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  5. Michel Campbell Ph.D.
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Castonguay, L.G., Proulx, J., Aubut, J. et al. Sexual preference assessment of sexual aggressors: Predictors of penile response magnitude. Arch Sex Behav 22, 325–334 (1993). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF01542121

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