Definition: Aversion therapy uses behavioral strategies to help clients overcome unwanted behaviors by associating a stimulus with uncomfortable sensations. For example, a person who is trying to stop smoking might be exposed to a foul smell or bad taste whenever they smoke a cigarette. After repeated pairings, the unpleasant feelings associated with the bad smell or taste might eventually become associated with the smoking behavior. By accomplishing this, clients and therapists hope that the unwanted behavior will begin to decrease or even disappear completely.
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More Psychology Definitions: The Psychology Dictionary
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