Behaviural Interventions Flashcards
Strength: RTS McConaghy
Compared electric shock with covert sensitisation in treating gambling addiction, one year follow up found that those who received covert sensitisation where 90% more likely to reduce gambling activities compared to 30% aversion therapy, use of imagination in covert sensitisation can be more effective than aversion therapy, use of imagination means it is treated in a safer way, increases validity of behavioural intervention specifically covert sensitisation
Strength: suitable for most (covert sensitisation)
It is a non invasive treatment for example if individual is pregnant covert sensitisation unlikely to harm the foetus unlike aversion therapy as stress and pain or vomiting from the mother during pregnancy could lead to negative physical and emotional effects on the baby, covert sensitisation may be more appropriate way of reducing addiction compared to aversion therapy
Weakness: ethical issues
Thought that aversion therapy such as rapid smoking and electric shocks could cause physical and psychological harm such as making a person physically sick or giving them electric shocks, covert sensitisation may be more appropriate as it is a vitro experience which reduces any physical or psychological harm,covert sensitisation may be more appropriate at reducing addiction
Weakness: require motivation and commitment
Both covert sensitisation and aversion therapy require motivation and commitment from patient, the patient must commit to attending sessions and work with the therapist to unlearn their addictive behaviours whilst placing themselves in aversive situations, feeling sick or electric shocks, unlike drug therapy which requires less motivation as patient only required to take a tablet or wear a patch to reduce addiction, individuals may drop out of behavioural intervention therapies which reduces their effectiveness
