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

In a recent debate, Quinsey and Laws (1990) and Hall (1990) 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 questionable assumptions underlying some of the Quinsey and Laws criticisms. The implications of unresolved problems for the clinical use of phallometric measures are stressed.