NCJ Number
61584
Journal
Australian and New Zealand Journal of Criminology Volume: 12 Issue: 2 Dated: (JUNE 1979) Pages: 43-54
Date Published
1979
Length
12 pages
Annotation
FACTORS WHICH SHOULD BE CONSIDERED WHEN DECIDING ON THE APPROPRIATENESS OF AVERSION THERAPY ARE DISCUSSED AND THE SAFETY OF ELECTRICAL STIMULATION AND ETHICAL PROBLEMS INHERENT IN ITS USE ARE OUTLINED.
Abstract
TYPES OF STIMULI WHICH MAY BE INCLUDED IN AVERSION THERAPY FOR TREATMENT OF OFFENDERS ARE SUMMARIZED. THESE METHODS ARE CHEMICAL AVERSION; OLFACTORY AVERSION; OTHER PHYSICAL STIMULI (AIR BLASTS, SLAPPING); IMAGINAL STIMULI; NONPHYSICAL STIMULI; AND FARADIC AVERSION, (ELECTRIC SHOCK). ALL BUT ELECTRIC SHOCK WERE FOUND WANTING WHEN MEASURED AGAINST SPECIFIC CRITERIA DEVELOPED TO IDENTIFY THE DEFINITE PROPERTIES WHICH AN IDEAL PUNISHING STIMULUS SHOULD HAVE. ELECTRIC SHOCK CAN BE PRECISELY CONTROLLED, ENABLING THE THERAPIST TO MAKE ACCURATE MEASUREMENTS OF TREATMENT PROGRESS. IT ALSO PERMITS FREQUENT REPETITIONS OF THE ASSOCIATION BETWEEN THE UNWANTED BEHAVIOR AND THE NOXIOUS STIMULUS AND IS EASIER TO UTILIZE THAN OTHER TECHNIQUES. ALTHOUGH THERE ARE DANGERS IN USING ELECTRIC SHOCK, THEY ARE MINIMAL IF SUITABLE PRECAUTIONS ARE TAKEN AND EQUIPMENT SAFELY OPERATED. THE ARTICLE STATES THAT TO MINIMIZE MISUSE OF ELECTRIC SHOCK, ALL TREATMENT FACILIES SHOULD HAVE A COMMITTEE WHICH WOULD PROCESS APPLICATIONS TO USE AVERSIVE STIMULATION AND GIVE UNANIMOUS AGREEMENT BEFORE ANY AVERSION THERAPY COULD BE STARTED. REFERENCES ARE GIVEN. (MJW)