Aversion therapy

• What is aversion therapy based on?

  Aversion therapy is based on classical conditioning, a key principle of the behaviourist approach.
• How does aversion therapy work?

  A naturally unpleasant stimulus (UCS) produces a negative response (UCR). This UCS is paired with the addictive behavior (neutral stimulus, NS), creating a conditioned response (CR). The addictive behavior becomes a conditioned stimulus (CS), leading to an aversive CR instead of pleasure.
• What are two examples of aversion therapy?

  1. Antabuse (disulfiram)

  for alcohol addiction

  2. Rapid smoking for nicotine addiction