Aversion therapy

Aversion therapy, a part of Psychotherapy.
Presented by Psychology Students.

1. Aversion Therapy Presentation by Sumera Yaqoob Kainat Hassan

2. What is Aversion Therapy? Aversion therapy is a form of behavior therapy in which an aversive (causing a strong feeling of dislike or disgust) stimulus is paired with an undesirable behavior in order to reduce or eliminate that behavior. Aversion therapy is a behavioral treatment intervention based on the principles of classical conditioning and behavioral psychology.  It is sometimes referred to as conversion therapy or reparative therapy .

3. Description The conditioning that occurs in aversion therapy very is similar in many ways to Pavlov’s famous experiment.  Aversion therapy works along the same lines, except unlike the dogs associating the bell with something positive , aversion therapy works to create an association with something negative . If Pavlov had used a device to emit a high frequency whistle (at a pitch that irritates dogs’ ears) every time they started to eat – instead of using a bell – they would have quickly learned to avoid eating the food to avoid the irritating sound.  The negative stimulus – the high-pitched whistle – would cause them to develop an aversion to eating the food.  

4. Aversion therapy is designed to cause individuals to develop an intense dislike or feeling of disgust – an aversion – to the behavior itself as they come to associate it with the noxious stimulus.  This entire process is repeated over and over until the individual eventually stops associating pleasure with the unwanted behavior and associating it, instead, with the negative experience caused by the unpleasant stimulus. 

5. Goals The goal of aversion therapy is to eliminate bad habits, self-destructive behaviors, or other undesirable behaviors (e.g. nail biting or alcohol abuse) by pairing the behavior with an unpleasant stimulus (e.g. medication-induced nausea or an electrical shock).  The assumption is that the problematic behavior is a learned behavior, and as such, can be “unlearned” or changed with proper “conditioning”.

6. Aversion Therapy Basic forms

7. Escape Training: Often escape training is used initially, then modify into avoidance training. In escape training, the target stimulus is presented then an unpleasant stimulus such as electric shock occurs.

8. 2. Avoidance Training Avoidance training belongs to negative reinforcement schedules. The client learns to be anxious in the present of the target stimulus and is negatively reinforcement for activity avoiding it.

9. 3. Covert sensitization It is also known as verbal aversion therapy. Does not involve the use of physical stimuli such as, electrical shock and medication. Client imagines an unpleasant event following the undesired stimulus response complex rather than experiencing stimulation.

10. Types of stimulus used in aversion therapy Electrical shock Chemical stimuli Olfactory or Gustatory stimuli

11. 1. Electrical shock: In experimental psychology electrical shock has been widely used both in animal and in humans. ( Solomon and Brush , 1956) It has been used to treat addiction and other types of unacceptable behavior. It is a painful as the patient can bear.

12. A box approximately 6in (5cm) square and 2 in (5cm deep) 9 volt battery Wire electrodes Apparatus

13. Advantages Fewer potential adverse or unexpected side effects. Therapist has complete control over the negative stimulus. Less expensive than other types. Ease of administration.

14. 2. Chemical stimuli This type of stimulus consist of a substance or medication that has a disgusting taste or causes highly unpleasant side effects. Antabuse is an example of a chemical stimulus for alcohol addiction. Side effects can last for several hours and may include nausea, vomiting, heart palpitation, headache, flushing, shortness of breath, and dizziness.

15. 3. Olfactory or Gustatory stimuli The term olfactory pertains to the sense of smell. The term gustatory pertains to the sense of taste. The use of these stimulus involves exposure to an intensely foul odor or taste, such as Ammonia. It has been used in the treatment of homosexuality.

16. A bitter tasting substance painted on the fingers of compulsive nail biters would be considered a type of gustatory stimuli.

17. Thank you