Validity of phallometric measures with sex offenders: Comments on the Quinsey, Laws, and Hall debate.

In a recent debate, V. L. Quinsey and D. R. Laws (see record 1991-10127-001) and G. C. Hall (see record 1991-10106-001) discussed several major methodological issues in research on the validity of phallometric tests. This article examines specific points of the debate more closely and uncovers questionnable assumptions underlying some of the Quinsey and Laws criticisms. The implications of unresolved problems for the clinical use of phallometric measures are stressed. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)