GLOVER (1985) COVERT SENSITISATION FOR KLEPTOMANIA TREATMENT Flashcards
What is covert sensitisation?
- A CBT technique that uses conditioning to pair an unpleasant stimulus with an undesiriable behaviour (to change the undesirable behaviour).
- It relies on classical conditioning .
To reduce the liklihood that the behaviour is repeated.
Covert= in the mind/ imagined
Sensitisation= Making someone more sensitive/reactive to something
How does it work?
- Visualisation: The person visualises the compulsive behaviour (stealing)
- Aversive stimuli: and then is guided to visualise an unpleasant/aversive stimuli (nausea) that would occur as a consequence of performing behaviour.
- Negative reinforcement: The negative stimuli is then paired with the compulsive, undesirable behaviour to decrease its frequency.
- Repetition- so that the individual may begin to experience unpleasant feelings at the mere thought
Name 1 strength of covert sensitisation?
Ethical and safe
1. Avoids real-life exposure to the stimuli (triggering)
2. Avoids need for real-life aversive therapy (uses positive punishment- like showing disgusting images to cause discomfort (smoker) or alcholic may be given antabuse to cause nausea if alcohol is consumed)
* Psychologically protects individuals from harm leading less distress/resistance to particpation
Name 1 weakness of sensitisation?
- Reductive (only focuses on the learned aspects of addictive behaviours and not other psychological factors such as trauma, low self-esteem, comorbidity)
- Problematic as addictions are highly complex/ not adressing core issue may expose patient to risk of relapse/developing another addiction or destructive behaviour
What was the aim of Glover (1985) study?
- To assess whether covert sensitization could reduce or eliminate kleptomaniac tendencies
What method did Glover (1985) use?
- (Longitudinal) case study
What methods were used in the treatment?
- Covert sensitisation
- Muscle relaxation- technqiue used in stress reduction/anxiety managment. Can be induced by medication/ visualisation/ repetition of calming phrases.
Describe the sample of Glover (1985)?
- 56 y/o woman.
- Had a 14 year history of shop-lifting.
- Kleptomanic
Describe the case details of Glove (1985)
- Onset: The symptoms began after her husband was convicted of embezzlement. She struggled with forgiving him, and became isolated from her close friends. She reluctantly took on a low-status job and became depressed.
- Compulsive thoughts: She developed compulsive thoughts of shoplifting every morning, which she found impossible to resist and repulsive.
- No external reward: Her shoplifting was without any external reward, as she once stole baby shoes, w/out having a baby.
- She then sought treatment.
Can you describe the treatment (Glover 1985)?
- Duration: underwent 4 sessions every 2 weeks.
- Imagery: She visualised vomiting as she lifted the item to steal, which attracted the attention and disgust of the people around her (practices these visualisations outside of sessions as HW).
- Last session: During the last session she imagined the sickness going away AS she REPLACED the item (negative reinforcement)
The imagery of nausea/ vomiting (unpleasant sensation) was paired repeatedly with the behaviour to make the behaviour less desirable.
What was the result of Glover (1985)
- During 19th monthly session- she reported the desire for stealing reduced (without any instance of relapse)
- Reported improvments in her self-esteem and social life.
Name 1 strength and 1 weakness of Glover (1985)
- Strength: Avoids real-life exposure to the stimuli/ avoids need for real-life aversive therapy
- Weakness: A single case study on a 56-year-old woman means the findings may not apply to other individuals (men/younger patients/those with different causes)
What type of punishment does aversive therapy use?
- Positive punishment- adding an unpleasant stimulus to reduce liklihood of behavioural repetition.
Associates undersirable behaviour with negative outcome
What drug may an alcholic be given during aversive therapy?
- Antabuse (causes nausea and vomiting)
