Conditioned aversion applied to the treatment of homosexuality and compulsive ruminations
Date
2015-06-29
Authors
Jacobs, Maxie
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Abstract
The aim of this research ^voject was to test the eFficar.) of
aversion therapy in the treatment of homosexuality and compulsive
ruminations respectively. A review of the literature indicated
that the most suitable paradigm for aversion therapy was response
contingent aversive stimulation, used with high intensity shock
and one hundred per cent reinfo ement. 'Holistic* aversion
therapy, i.e. therapy directed at behavioural, cognitive and
motivational components of homosexuality, was distinguished from
'monistic1 aversion therapy, i.e. therapy directed mainly at
behavioural components. It wos submitted that therapy based on
the holistic model was more effective than therapy based on the
monistic model. Subjects consisted of 80 homosexuals and 60
compulsive ruminators. Homosexuals were divided into a nocontact
control group, a psychotherapy group, a monistic aversion
therapy group and an holistic therapy group. Subjects in the
three experimental groups were encouraged to make heterosexual
contact, to avoid homosexual contact, to use heterosexual
masturbation fantasies and were counselled as regards the
elimination of heterosexual fears. In addition, subjects in the
monistic group were treated by monistic aversion therapy and
clients on the holistic group were given aversion therapy based
on the holistic model. Compulsives were divided into a minimalcontact
control group, a psychotherapy group and an aversion
therapy group. Subjects on the two experimental groups were
treated by thought-stopping, logotherapy and relaxation.
Subjects in the aversion therapy group were in addition given
aversion therapy. The results showed that holistic aversion
therapy was significantly more effective, in eliminating
homosexual behaviour than no-treatment, psychotherapy and monistic
aversion therapy. Monistic aversion therapy was not significantly
more effective than psychotherapy. It was concluded that holistic
Description
A Thesis Submitted to the Faculty of Arts
University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg
for the Degree of Doctor of Philosophy
Johannesburg 1974