Aversion therapy is a form of behavior therapy that uses negative reinforcement to reduce undesirable behaviors. It works by pairing an aversive stimulus, like an electric shock, nausea-inducing medication, or unpleasant smell/taste, with the undesirable behavior. The goal is to condition the individual to associate the behavior with the unpleasant stimulus so they learn to avoid the behavior. Common applications include treating alcoholism, nail-biting, or other addictions/habits by using stimuli like electric shocks, Antabuse medication, or foul smells.

2.  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.
 Aversion therapy is a behavioral treatment intervention
based on the principles of classical conditioning and
behavioral psychology. It is sometimes referred to as
conversion therapy or reparative therapy.

3.  The conditioning that occurs in aversion therapy
very is similar in many ways to Pavlov’s famous
experiment.
 Aversion therapy works along the same lines,
except unlike the dogs associating the bell with
something positive, aversion therapy works to
create an association with something negative.
 If Pavlov had used a device to emit a high
frequency whistle (at a pitch that irritates dogs’
ears) every time they started to eat – instead of
using a bell – they would have quickly learned to
avoid eating the food to avoid the irritating
sound. The negative stimulus – the high-pitched
whistle – would cause them to develop an aversion
to eating the food.

4.  Aversion therapy is designed to cause
individuals to develop an intense dislike or
feeling of disgust – an aversion – to the
behavior itself as they come to associate it
with the noxious stimulus.
 This entire process is repeated over and
over until the individual eventually stops
associating pleasure with the unwanted
behavior and associating it, instead, with the
negative experience caused by the
unpleasant stimulus.

5.  The goal of aversion therapy is to eliminate bad
habits, self-destructive behaviors, or other
undesirable behaviors (e.g. nail biting or alcohol
abuse) by pairing the behavior with an
unpleasant stimulus (e.g. medication-induced
nausea or an electrical shock). The assumption
is that the problematic behavior is a learned
behavior, and as such, can be “unlearned” or
changed with proper “conditioning”.

7.  Often escape training is used initially,
then modify into avoidance training.
 In escape training, the target stimulus is
presented then an unpleasant stimulus
such as electric shock occurs.

8.  Avoidance training belongs to negative
reinforcement schedules.
 The client learns to be anxious in the
present of the target stimulus and is
negatively reinforcement for activity avoiding
it.

9.  It is also known as verbal aversion therapy.
 Does not involve the use of physical stimuli
such as, electrical shock and medication.
 Client imagines an unpleasant event
following the undesired stimulus response
complex rather than experiencing
stimulation.

10. 1. Electrical shock
2. Chemical stimuli
3. Olfactory or Gustatory stimuli

11.  In experimental psychology electrical shock
has been widely used both in animal and in
humans. ( Solomon and Brush , 1956)
 It has been used to treat addiction and other
types of unacceptable behavior.
 It is a painful as the patient can bear.

12.  A box approximately 6in (5cm)
square and 2 in (5cm deep)
 9 volt battery
 Wire
 electrodes

13.  Fewer potential adverse or
unexpected side effects.
 Therapist has complete control over
the negative stimulus.
 Less expensive than other types.
 Ease of administration.

14.  This type of stimulus consist of a
substance or medication that has a
disgusting taste or causes highly
unpleasant side effects.
 Antabuse is an example of a chemical
stimulus for alcohol addiction.
 Side effects can last for several hours
and may include nausea, vomiting, heart
palpitation, headache, flushing, shortness
of breath, and dizziness.

15.  The term olfactory pertains to the
sense of smell.
 The term gustatory pertains to the
sense of taste.
 The use of these stimulus involves
exposure to an intensely foul odor
or taste, such as Ammonia.
 It has been used in the treatment of
homosexuality.

16.  A bitter tasting substance painted on the
fingers of compulsive nail biters would be
considered a type of gustatory stimuli.

17. Thank you