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The Effect of Sexual Priming Cues on Emotional Recognition in Nonviolent Child Sexual Abusers

Oliver, Caroline J., Watson, Derrick G., Gannon, Theresa A., Beech, Anthony R. (2009) The Effect of Sexual Priming Cues on Emotional Recognition in Nonviolent Child Sexual Abusers. International Journal of Offender Therapy and Comparative Criminology, 53 (3). pp. 292-304. ISSN 0306-624X. (doi:10.1177/0306624X08317214) (The full text of this publication is not currently available from this repository. You may be able to access a copy if URLs are provided) (KAR id:15169)

The full text of this publication is not currently available from this repository. You may be able to access a copy if URLs are provided.
Official URL:
http://dx.doi.org/10.1177/0306624X08317214

Abstract

This article describes a study that used a computer-based task to investigate the emotional recognition skills of child sexual abusers. The experiment consisted of two phases (prime and probe) and measured both response time and error rates to facial expressions. The priming phase of the experiment consisted of the presentation of short phrases via computer of either sexual or neutral content. The probe phase of the experiment consisted of the presentation of adult facial expressions depicting either the emotion fear or surprise. Results showed child sexual abusers to be slightly less accurate overall. Furthermore, contrary to prediction, the effect of sexual priming appeared to make child sexual abusers actually better at recognizing fearful faces (p = .055). This result is discussed in relation to current victim empathy theory and treatment implications for sexual offenders.

Item Type: Article
DOI/Identification number: 10.1177/0306624X08317214
Uncontrolled keywords: sexual offenders; emotional recognition; priming tasks; reaction time
Subjects: B Philosophy. Psychology. Religion > BF Psychology
Divisions: Divisions > Division of Human and Social Sciences > School of Psychology
Depositing User: Theresa Gannon
Date Deposited: 21 Apr 2009 08:38 UTC
Last Modified: 05 Nov 2024 09:49 UTC
Resource URI: https://kar.kent.ac.uk/id/eprint/15169 (The current URI for this page, for reference purposes)

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