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.

In the midst of other supplementary behavior therapies, aversion therapy is a treatment grounded in learning theory—one of its fundamental principles being that “all behavior is learned and that undesirable behaviors can be unlearned under the right circumstances.”

The Aversion therapy is a function of the branch of learning theory called classical conditioning. Inside this model of learning, an unwanted behavior, such as an unexpected sexual act, is coordinated with an unpleasant (aversive) stimulus. The unpleasant feelings or sensations become coupled with that behavior, and the behavior will reduce in occurrence or stop altogether.

The ultimate aim of aversion therapy is to reduce or get rid of the undesirable behaviors. The treatment focuses on changing a specific behavior itself, unlike insight-oriented approaches that focus on uncovering unconscious motives in order to produce change.

The behaviors that have been treated with aversion therapy include such addictions as alcohol abuse, drug abuse, and smoking; pathological gambling; sexual deviations; and more benign habits—including writer's cramp. In some circumstances, aversion therapy may be self-administered.

A patient who consults a behavior therapist for aversion therapy can look forward to a moderately standard set of procedures. The therapist begins by assessing the problem, like measuring its frequency, rigorousness, and the surroundings in which the undesirable behavior had occurred.

An optimistic relationship is also essential to establish the patient's self-confidence in the rationale for revealing him or her to an uncomfortable stimulus. The therapist will then plan a treatment protocol and will start to give the explanation to the patient. The most vital choice the therapist makes is the type of aversive stimulus to employ.

Depending upon the behavior to be changed, the ideal aversive stimulus is frequently electric stimulation which is being delivered to the forearm or leg. This aversive stimulus should not be confused with electroconvulsive therapy (ECT), which is delivered to the brain to treat depression.

Questions:

• Can aversion therapy be used to solve minor behavioral issues?
• Who employed the chemical and electrical aversion?