Covert sensitization refers to the use of aversive imagery to reduce the occurrence of an undesired response; cognitive–behavioral intervention to reduce unwanted behaviors by having clients imagine the extremely aversive consequences of the behaviors and establish negative rather than positive associations with them. It is a form of Aversion therapy in which patients are directed to imagine themselves engaging in an undesired behavior and then are instructed to imagine extremely aversive events occurring once they have the undesired behavior clearly in mind.
Description
Covert sensitization is a psychological technique used in behavior therapy to help individuals eliminate unwanted habits or behaviors. It involves associating a negative stimulus with the undesirable behavior through vivid imagery or mental rehearsal. This form of aversion therapy aims to create a strong, negative association in the individual's mind, ultimately leading to a reduction or cessation of the behavior. Covert sensitization is often used to treat various conditions such as substance abuse, compulsive behaviors, and phobias. The process typically involves guided visualization and cognitive restructuring to change the individual's response to certain triggers or stimuli. It is important for the individual to fully engage in the process and actively participate in creating and reinforcing the negative associations.
Application Areas
- Substance abuse
- Compulsive behaviors
- Phobias
Treatment and Risks
- Treatment typically involves multiple sessions with a trained therapist who guides the individual through the process of creating negative associations.
- Risks include the potential for the negative associations to become generalized to other areas of the individual's life, leading to unintended consequences.
- It is important for the therapist to closely monitor the individual's progress and adjust the treatment plan as needed to ensure effectiveness and minimize risks.
Examples
- Using covert sensitization to help a smoker associate the smell of cigarettes with a strong negative reaction to reduce the desire to smoke.
- Applying covert sensitization to help an individual with a fear of flying imagine a plane crash whenever they think about boarding a plane.
Similar Concepts and Synonyms
- Aversion therapy
- Covert conditioning
- Imaginal desensitization
Summary
Covert sensitization is a psychological technique used in behavior therapy to help individuals eliminate unwanted habits or behaviors by creating a strong negative association through guided visualization. It is often applied to conditions such as substance abuse, compulsive behaviors, and phobias. The treatment involves multiple sessions with a therapist to actively engage the individual in the process of creating and reinforcing negative associations. Risks include unintended consequences if the negative associations become generalized. Overall, covert sensitization can be an effective tool in behavior modification when used appropriately.
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