Abstract

A case study is presented in which a cognitive-behavioral procedure, covert sensitization, was used to treat a man with strong pedophilic tendencies. The hypothesis tested was that the effectiveness of covert sensitization depends on aversive imagery and not distraction or habituation. A reversal experimental design, with additional control for habituation, was employed. The results indicated that aversive imagery was more effective than neutral imagery in reducing penile erection to children. In addition, repeated presentation of the deviant stimulus did not significantly decrease sexual arousal, indicating that habituation was not a factor. However, it was suggested that factors other than aversiveness might have accounted for the results. Examples are the degree of emotion and action suggested by the aversive imagery instructions. Future research is required to isolate and test the effects of these variables.

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