Aversion Conditioning/Aversion Therapy

What Is Behavioral Therapy?

Behavioral therapy is a term used to describe a broad range of techniques used to change maladaptive
behaviors. The goal is to reinforce desirable behaviors and eliminate unwanted ones. Behavioral therapy
is rooted in the principles of behaviorism, a school of thought focused on the idea that we learn from
our environment.

Techniques of Behavioural Therapy

 Relaxation Training
 Systematic Desensitization
 Aversion Conditioning
 Bio Feedback
 Contingency Management
 Flooding
 Implosion
 Exposure and Response Prevention
 Social Skills Training
 Token Economy

Aversion Conditioning

Aversion therapy, sometimes called aversive therapy or aversive conditioning, is used to help a person
give up a behavior or habit by having them associate it with something unpleasant. Aversion therapy is a
type of behavioral therapy that involves repeat pairing an unwanted behavior with discomfort.

What Behavioural Principles It Follows

This technique is based on Classical Conditioning.

Classical conditioning involves forming associations between stimuli. Previously neutral stimuli are
paired with a stimulus that naturally and automatically evokes a response. After repeated pairings, an
association is formed and the previously neutral stimulus will come to evoke the response on its own.

What Is Done In That

This process involves pairing an undesirable behavior with an aversive stimulus in the hope that the
unwanted behavior will eventually be reduced. For example, someone with an alcohol use disorder
might take disulfiram, a drug that causes severe symptoms (such as headaches, nausea, anxiety, and
vomiting) when combined with alcohol.

How It Works

Aversion therapy is based off the theory of classical conditioning. Classical conditioning is when
someone unconsciously or automatically learn a behavior due to a specific stimuli. In other words, one
learn to respond to something based on repeated interactions with it.
Aversion therapy uses conditioning but focuses on creating a negative response to an undesirable
stimulus, such as drinking alcohol or using drugs.

Basic Forms of Aversion Therapy

 Escape Training
 Avoidance Training
 Covert Sensitization

Types of Stimuli Used in Aversion Therapy

 Electrical Shock
 Chemical Stimuli
 Olfactory or Gustatory Stimuli

Advantages

 The treatment methods and aversive conditions that are used.

 Whether or not the client continues to practice relapse prevention after treatment is concluded.
 In some instances, the client may return to previous patterns of behavior once they are out of
treatment and no longer exposed to the deterrent.

Disadvantages

 Some experts believe that using negative stimulus in aversion therapy is equal to using
punishment as a form of therapy, which is unethical.
 Some types of chemical aversion stimuli can be expensive, especially if they need to be
administered by a doctor or in a hospital or residential treatment setting (such as electrical
shocks).
 Patients may experience significant anxiety symptoms, signs of depression, hostility and anger in
response to some stimuli. Some report feeling traumatized, which may lead to other
psychological problems.
 Most therapists believe that children should not be subjected to aversion therapy, since they
may not fully understand the risks involved and may develop anxiety.