| The author examined relationships among empathy, as measured by the Interpersonal Reactivity Index (IRI), sexual arousal, as measured by penile plethysmograph (PPG) using the Monarch and Monarch 21 assessment systems, and levels of violence, defined as whether or not offenders inflicted pain during the commission of their sexual offenses, in a population of civilly detained sexual offenders. Results were largely insignificant, except that the participants who inflicted pain scored higher on the Perspective Taking (PT) scale of the IRI than those who did not inflict pain. There was a trend toward significance for lower levels of sexual arousal to coercive stimuli for those who scored higher on the Empathic Concern (EC) scale of the IRI. Implications for research with this population, the use of other empathy measures, and victim-specific empathy training were discussed. |
