Covert aversion of two interrelated deviant sexual practices: Obscence phone calling and exhibitionism. A single case analysis

Abstract

The interrelationship among three distinct sexual behavior and arousal patterns (obscene phone calling, exhibitionism, and heterosexual arousal) were studied in an adult male. A multiple baseline design was used to evaluate the effects of covert sensitization on the two deviant patterns. Physiological and self-report of arousal to all three classes of sexual stimuli were taken throughout treatment, after discharge, and at 10-month follow-up. Results indicated that covert sensitization for obscene phone calling partially diminished arousal to the exhibitionistic stimuli, as well. When both deviant behaviors were treated, rapid and stable reductions in both physiological and self-report measures of deviant arousal were obtained, while arousal to heterosexual stimuli remained relatively high and essentially unchanged. Treatment gains were sustained during a 10-month follow-up period during which collateral reports revealed no other evidence of relapse. Additional findings included heart rate-penile tumescence changes consistent with an autonomic conditioning component model of covert sensitization.