Aversion therapy

• What is aversion therapy?

  The individual learns to associate an unpleasant stimulus with an action they had previously enjoyed

  This is called counter-conditioning
• What is an example of an aversive?

  Emetic - makes you sick
• What is some research into aversives?

  Smith and Frawley (1993):

  • 83% abstinence rate for cocaine after 12 months with aversion therapy
• What is an ethical issue with aversion therapy?

  Causes physical harm
• Are aversive affective in the short term or long term?

  Short term
• What is an issue with treatment adherence?

  Unpleasant therapy so those who stick at it may be a certain type of person

  Therefore we can’t assess the effectiveness of the therapy