Related Experiment Video
Updated: Aug 6, 2026

An Experimental Analysis of Children's Ability to Provide a False Report about a Crime
Published on: May 3, 2016
Child pornography offenses are a valid diagnostic indicator of pedophilia
Michael C Seto1, James M Cantor, Ray Blanchard
1Centre for Addiction and Mental Health, Toronto, ON, Canada. michael_seto@camh.net
Abstract:
This study investigated whether being charged with a child pornography offense is a valid diagnostic indicator of pedophilia, as represented by an index of phallometrically assessed sexual arousal to children. The sample of 685 male patients was referred between 1995 and 2004 for a sexological assessment of their sexual interests and behavior. As a group, child pornography offenders showed greater sexual arousal to children than to adults and differed from groups of sex offenders against children, sex offenders against adults, and general sexology patients. The results suggest child pornography offending is a stronger diagnostic indicator of pedophilia than is sexually offending against child victims. Theoretical and clinical implications are discussed.
Related Concept Videos
Conduct Disorder
Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM)
Oppositional Defiant Disorder
Diagnostic Criteria and...
Psychosexual Theory of Development
The Five Stages of Psychosexual Development
Freud's psychosexual...
Amebiasis
Sex-linked Disorders

