Related Experiment Video
Updated: May 23, 2026

Using Facial Electromyography to Assess Facial Muscle Reactions to Experienced and Observed Affective Touch in Humans
Published on: March 15, 2019
Assessing components of empathy in sex-offenders with intellectual disabilities
1Clinical Psychology Unit, University of Sheffield, UK.
Background:
Because of a lack of research investigating empathy in sex offenders with intellectual disabilities, this study explored empathy in sex offenders and non-offenders with intellectual disabilities. Specific aims were to explore differences between these groups on measures of the components of empathy.
Methods:
The scores of 21 sex-offenders and 21 non-offenders with intellectual disabilities, matched by age, gender and IQ, were compared on the Test of Emotional Perception.
Results:
No differences were found between the two groups across the components of empathy. However, sex offenders who had received treatment performed better on tasks of emotion recognition, emotion replication and response decision than the non-offenders.
Conclusions:
Further research is needed to understand empathy in sex offenders with intellectual disabilities before any recommendations can be made regarding treatment programmes.
Related Concept Videos
Empathy
Cognitive Development During Adolescence
Sex Linked Disorders
Intellectual Disability
Introspection
Modeling in Therapy
Participant Modeling
Participant modeling involves therapists demonstrating calm and effective behaviors in situations...

