Aversion therapy

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Aversion Therapy

Aversion therapy (pronunciation: /əˈvɜːrʒən θɛrəpi/) is a form of psychological treatment in which the patient is exposed to a stimulus while simultaneously being subjected to some form of discomfort. This conditioning is intended to cause the patient to associate the stimulus with unpleasant sensations in order to stop the specific behavior.

Etymology

The term 'aversion therapy' is derived from the English word 'aversion', which means a strong dislike or disinclination, and the Greek word 'therapeia', which means healing. The term was first used in the mid-20th century to describe a type of behavioral therapy.

Related Terms

  • Behavioral Therapy: A type of therapy that focuses on changing or reducing the occurrence of some type of unwanted behavior.
  • Conditioning: A process of changing behavior by rewarding or punishing a subject each time an action is performed until the subject associates the action with pleasure or distress.
  • Stimulus: Something that rouses or incites to activity.

Usage

Aversion therapy is often used to treat problems such as substance abuse, including tobacco, alcohol, and other drugs. Other applications include treatment of paraphilias, self-harm, and other harmful behaviors.

Effectiveness

The effectiveness of aversion therapy can vary greatly depending on the individual and the problem being treated. Some studies have shown it to be effective in certain cases, such as alcohol and tobacco addiction, while others have found it to be less effective or even harmful in other cases.

Criticism

Aversion therapy has been criticized for its ethical implications, as it involves the deliberate infliction of discomfort or distress. It has also been criticized for its potential to cause harm, including psychological trauma.

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