aversion therapy

• how assumptions are applied

  • we can earn our behaviours from the environment and experiences via classical or operant conditioning
  • can apply ideas to re learn behaviour via behavioural modification
  • via counter conditioning or negative reinforcement eg pair addiction with pain
• components of aversion therapy

  • counter conditioning
  • covert sensitisation
  • use of drugs
• counter conditioning = presented with aversive stimuli eg. electric shocks = repeatedly paired = create new association with behaviour
• covert sensitisation = use imagination as aversive stimuli by imagining progressively worse scenarios
• use of drugs = Antabuse = sickness within 10 minutes of drinking alcohol as prevents ADLH from breaking acetaldehyde down = or rapid smoking = inhale every 6 seconds still sick
• effective = supporting evidence for Antabuse = neiderhoffen and staffen = Antabuse patients has longer period of abstinence than placebo = effective as aversive stimuli = but can be more effective if done with talking therapies
• effective = supporting evidence for rapid smoking =mcRobbie = ppts in rapid smoking condition had significant decrease in urge to smoke for next 24 hours to a week vs those who watched anti smoking video = effective unpleasant stimulus but after 4 weeks no difference so may only be short term
• ineffective = eliminates behaviour not route cause = may treat how individual feels towards addiction but not the underlying cause = symptom substitution = may reoccur in another form or undesirable behaviour
• unethical = poses risk of harm = Antabuse can have very negative side effects like convulsions or heart failure. rapid smoking is also unpleasant and may cause issues = unethical compared to alternative eg cbt - can be argued risks are not bigger than addiction itself
• ethical = costs can be justified = breaking serious addiction can bring benefits to individuals health finances and relationships = benefits can outweigh potential risks and valid consent will have been given
• unethical = more ethical ways = covert sensitisation = imagine worsting scenarios eg feeling sick to being sick = Kraft suggests both effective and dar more ethical as avoids unpleasant effects