https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GhWKVGBFadc

Classical Conditioning in the form of aversion therapy can be used to reduce self-injurious behavior by children and adults with severe disabilities. This type of therapy usually involves the use of mild shocks to the skin. There are situations where self-injurious behavior is permanently damaging or life-threatening. There are also situations where individuals receiving this type of therapy are unable to communicate verbally.

Please watch this short 3 minute video: (warning: the video is graphic and uses the word "retarted", which is a term that is no longer used for a myriad of reasons. It is more compassionate and correct to say "mentally disabled" or "cognitively impaired.")

Spend some time thinking about the use of aversion therapy in this population. Consider whether you are for or against this type of therapy.Were your views impacted at all by the parent testimony in the video? Does your opinion change depending on the type of self-injurious behavior involved? Is your opinion effected by whether or not the individual can communicate verbally?Express your personal views on the use of aversion therapy to stop self-injurious behavior