Describe + evaluate aversion therapy as method of modif (10)

• para 1: aversion therapy uses classical conditioning to reduce addictive behaviour

  • P: aversion therapy is based on classical conditioning, where an addictive stimulus (e.g. alcohol) is paired with an unpleasant unconditioned stimulus (e.g. nausea), so the person learns to associate the behaviour with discomfort.

  • E: a common method involves antabuse, a drug that causes intense illness when alcohol is consumed. Niederhofer and Staffen (2003) found that patients taking Antabuse had greater abstinence rates over 90 days than those on a placebo.

  • E: this supports its short-term effectiveness in modifying behaviour. However, aversion therapy often targets only the external behaviour rather than underlying cognitive or emotional causes, which means addiction may return or be replaced with another.

  • L: this limits its long-term effectiveness and suggests it should be combined with psychological therapies like CBT
• Para 2: ethical & practical concerns with aversion therapy

  • P: While aversion therapy can be effective, it raises ethical concerns due to the intentional induction or discomfort and distress.

  • E: Rapid smoking, for example, forces individuals to smoke intensively until they feel ill. McRobbie (2007) found that although urges to smoke were reduced in the short term, long-term abstinence was not significantly better than a control group.

  • E: furthermore, compliance can be a major issue, as individuals may simply refuse to take Antabuse or drop out due to side effects. Covert sensitisation, a more ethical alternative, uses imagined aversive consequences without causing physical harm and may be just as effective.

  • L: therefore, while aversion therapy may work for some, it’s acceptability and practicality are questionable.
• Conclusion

  In conclusion, aversion therapy can be useful in reducing addictive behaviours in the short term, but its effectiveness, ethics, and long-term impact are all debated. For sustained change, it is best used as part of a wider treatment plan that also addresses psychological causes.