Abstract
The measurement characteristics of two transducers which record penile circumference changes were compared. The subject wore two transducers simultaneously while viewing a section of an erotic film. Examination of the data revealed discrepancies in measurement between the two units, but these differences were shown to be statistically nonsignificant. Various measurement characteristics of the devices such as durability, ease of handling, and cost are discussed and recommendations are made to guide the worker in choosing a unit most suitable for clinical and research applications.
This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.
Similar content being viewed by others
References
Abel, G. G., and Blanchard, E. B. (1975). The measurement and generation of sexual arousal in male sexual deviates. In Hersen, M., Eisler, R., and Miller, P. M. (eds.),Progress in Behavior Modification, Vol. II, Academic Press, New York, pp. 99–136.
Abel, G. G., Blanchard, E. B., Barlow, D. H., and Mavissakalian, M. (1975). Identifying specific erotic cues in sexual deviations by audiotaped descriptions.J. Appl. Behav. Anal. 8: 247–260.
Bancroft, J. (1974).Deviant Sexual Behaviour Clarendon Press, Oxford.
Bancroft, J. H. J., Jones, H. G., and Pullan, B. R. (1966). A simple transducer for measuring penile erection, with comments on its use in the treatment of sexual disorders.Behav. Res. Ther. 4: 239–242.
Barlow, D. H. (1975). Personal communication, February 13.
Barlow, D. H., Becker, R., Leitenberg, H., and Agras, W. S. (1970). A mechanical strain gauge for recording penile circumference change.J. Appl. Behav. Anal. 3: 73–76.
Farrall, W. R. (1975). Personal communication, July 16.
Freund, K. (1967). Erotic preference in pedophilia.Behav. Res. Ther. 5: 339–348.
Freund, K., Sedlacek, F., and Knob, K. (1965). A simple transducer for plethysmography of the male genital.J. Exp. Anal. Behav. 8: 169–170.
Freund, K., Langevin, R., and Barlow, D. H. (1974). Comparison of two penile measures of erotic arousal.Behav. Res. Ther. 12: 355–359.
Laws, D. R., and Bow, R. A. (1976). An improved mechanical strain gauge for recording penile circumference change.Psychophysiology 13: (in press).
Laws, D. R., and Pawlowski, A. V. (1974). An automated fading procedure to alter sexual responsiveness in pedophiles.J. Homosex. 1: 149–163.
McConaghy, N. (1967). Penile volume change to moving pictures of male and female nudes in heterosexual and homosexual males.Behav. Res. Ther. 5: 43–48.
McConaghy, N. (1974). Measurements of change in penile dimensions.Arch. Sex. Behav. 3: 381–388.
Rosen, R. C. (1975). Personal communication, June 15.
Siegel, S. (1956).Nonparametric Statistics McGraw-Hill, New York.
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Additional information
The opinions or conclusions stated in this article are those of the author and are not to be construed as official or as necessarily reflecting the policy of the Department of Health of the State of California.
Reprints may be obtained from D. R. Laws, Sexual Behavior Laboratory, Atascadero State Hospital, Atascadero, California 93422.
Rights and permissions
About this article
Cite this article
Laws, D.R. A comparison of the measurement characteristics of two circumferential penile transducers. Arch Sex Behav 6, 45–51 (1977). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF01579247
Issue Date:
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF01579247