Behavior techniques

Reinforcement

Reinforcement is a behavioral technique used to increase the likelihood of

a desired behavior by associating it with positive consequences. There are
two main types:

1. Positive Reinforcement: Involves adding a rewarding stimulus (e.g.,

praise, treats, or privileges) after a desired behavior, making it more
likely the behavior will occur again.
2. Negative Reinforcement: Involves removing an unpleasant stimulus
(e.g., stopping a loud noise) when the desired behavior occurs,
reinforcing the behavior by providing relief.

Most Effective For: Reinforcement is commonly used for building desired

behaviors in areas like habit formation, classroom management, skill
development, and behavior modification. It is effective with children, in
animal training, and in therapeutic settings to reinforce behaviors like
following treatment plans or adopting healthy habits.

How It Works: Reinforcement strengthens a behavior by consistently

pairing it with a positive outcome. For example, a student might receive a
sticker for completing homework on time (positive reinforcement), or an
employee might have an easier task removed for meeting a target (negative
reinforcement). Consistency in applying reinforcement is key to effectively
shaping behavior.

Differential Reinforcement

Differential Reinforcement is a technique that involves reinforcing

specific, desired behaviors while withholding reinforcement for undesirable
behaviors. This approach is used to reduce unwanted behaviors without
punishment, by encouraging alternative positive behaviors instead.

There are several types of differential reinforcement:

1. Differential Reinforcement of Alternative Behavior (DRA):

Reinforces a behavior that serves as a constructive alternative to the
undesired behavior (e.g., rewarding a child for raising their hand
instead of interrupting).
 2. Differential Reinforcement of Incompatible Behavior (DRI):
Reinforces a behavior that cannot occur simultaneously with the
undesired behavior (e.g., reinforcing sitting still to prevent wandering).
3. Differential Reinforcement of Other Behavior (DRO): Provides
reinforcement when the undesired behavior is absent for a certain
period (e.g., rewarding a student for going 15 minutes without calling
out in class).

Most Effective For: Differential reinforcement is particularly useful for

reducing disruptive or problematic behaviors in settings such as schools,
workplaces, and therapy, especially with children or individuals with
developmental disorders.

How It Works: By rewarding positive or incompatible behaviors, differential

reinforcement gradually shifts focus away from undesired behaviors without
punishment. For example, instead of punishing a child for yelling, a teacher
might reinforce quiet speaking, making yelling less likely to occur.

Chaining

Chaining is a behavioral technique that involves breaking down complex

tasks into smaller, manageable steps, which are learned and linked together
sequentially until the entire task can be performed independently. Each step
acts as a cue for the next, reinforcing the behavior sequence.

There are two main approaches to chaining:

1. Forward Chaining: Teaching each step in natural order, starting from

the first step and progressing forward.
2. Backward Chaining: Teaching each step in reverse order, starting
from the last step so the learner completes the task each time,
promoting a sense of accomplishment.

Most Effective For: Chaining is highly effective for teaching multi-step

skills, such as self-care routines (e.g., dressing, grooming), cooking, and job
skills. It is widely used for individuals with developmental disabilities, autism,
or cognitive impairments who may struggle with complex tasks.

How It Works: Each step is practiced until mastered and then linked with
subsequent steps to complete the full task. For example, in backward
chaining for hand-washing, the learner might first master drying hands, then
rinsing, and so on, gradually learning to complete each part until they
perform the entire hand-washing sequence.

Shaping

Shaping is a behavioral technique used to reinforce successive

approximations of a desired behavior. Instead of expecting the full behavior
to appear immediately, small steps or milestones toward the final behavior
are reinforced, gradually moving closer to the target behavior.

Most Effective For: Shaping is particularly effective for teaching new

behaviors in individuals with developmental disabilities, autism spectrum
disorder (ASD), or other cognitive and learning difficulties. It’s also useful in
educational and therapeutic settings where individuals need to build up
complex skills gradually, such as in speech therapy or skill acquisition.

How It Works: Shaping involves identifying and reinforcing small steps that
lead to the target behavior. For example, if teaching a child to speak in full
sentences, a therapist might start by reinforcing single words, then two-word
phrases, and so on, until the child can produce complete sentences.
Reinforcement at each stage encourages progression, and support is
gradually reduced as the child gets closer to the final behavior.

Promoting and fading

Prompting and Fading are behavioral techniques used to help individuals

learn new skills or behaviors by providing guidance (prompts) initially and
then gradually reducing assistance (fading) as they become more
independent.

 Prompting: Involves giving cues or guidance to encourage the desired

behavior. Prompts can be verbal, physical, visual, or gestural,
depending on the individual's needs.
 Fading: Gradually reducing the prompt intensity until the individual
performs the behavior independently without any prompts.

Most Effective For: Prompting and fading are especially effective for
individuals with autism, developmental disabilities, or cognitive impairments
who need extra support to learn new skills. It’s commonly used in learning
self-care routines, social skills, and academic tasks.
How It Works: First, a prompt (e.g., a verbal instruction or physical guide) is
given to help the person perform the desired behavior. Once they begin to
master it, prompts are slowly faded—such as moving from a full physical
guide to a light touch or a simple verbal reminder—until the behavior occurs
independently. For example, in teaching hand-washing, a physical guide
might initially be used to show each step, then slowly reduced until the
person can complete the task alone.

Extinction

Extinction is a behavioral technique used to reduce or eliminate an

undesired behavior by stopping the reinforcement that previously
maintained it. Essentially, the behavior is no longer rewarded or reinforced,
leading to its gradual decline and eventual cessation.

How Extinction Works:

1. Identify the Reinforcement: Determine what is reinforcing the

undesired behavior (e.g., attention, tangible rewards, escape from a
situation).
2. Withhold Reinforcement: Stop providing the reinforcement that
maintains the behavior. For instance, if a child tantrums to get
attention, the adult would stop giving attention during the tantrum.
3. Extinction Burst: Initially, the behavior may increase in intensity (an
extinction burst) as the person attempts to get the usual
reinforcement. However, if reinforcement continues to be withheld, the
behavior will eventually decrease and stop.

Most Effective For:

 Attention-Seeking Behaviors: Such as tantrums, whining, or

aggressive behaviors that occur to get attention from others.
 Disruptive or Undesirable Behaviors: In children with behavioral
disorders, developmental disabilities, or autism spectrum disorder.
 Escape or Avoidance Behaviors: Behaviors used to avoid tasks,
demands, or uncomfortable situations (e.g., refusing to do homework).
Applications: Extinction is often used in settings such as schools, therapy
(particularly with children or individuals with autism), and in managing
disruptive behaviors. However, it is important to be consistent, as
inconsistencies in withholding reinforcement can lead to the resurgence of
the unwanted behavior.

Punishment

Punishment is a behavioral technique used to reduce or eliminate

undesirable behaviors by applying an aversive consequence or removing a
positive stimulus after the behavior occurs. Unlike reinforcement, which
strengthens a behavior, punishment weakens or decreases the likelihood of
that behavior being repeated.

There are two main types of punishment:

1. Positive Punishment:

 Definition: Introducing an unpleasant stimulus following a behavior to

decrease the likelihood of it happening again.
 Example: Giving extra chores to a child for misbehaving.
 How It Works: The unpleasant stimulus (extra chores) is added after
the undesired behavior, which makes the behavior less likely to occur
in the future.

2. Negative Punishment:

 Definition: Removing a positive stimulus following a behavior to

decrease the likelihood of that behavior occurring again.
 Example: Taking away a teenager's phone for breaking curfew.
 How It Works: A valued item (the phone) is removed after the
undesirable behavior (breaking curfew), making it less likely the
behavior will happen again.

Most Effective For:

Punishment is most effective when:

 The goal is to decrease a specific behavior that is disruptive, unsafe, or

socially inappropriate (e.g., aggressive behavior, stealing, breaking
rules).
  It is used sparingly and consistently, to avoid negative side effects like
resentment, avoidance, or escalation of the behavior.

How It Works:

Punishment works by introducing an aversive consequence (positive

punishment) or taking away a desired reward (negative punishment)
immediately following the undesirable behavior. Over time, the individual
learns to associate the behavior with an undesirable outcome, which reduces
the likelihood of the behavior being repeated.

stimulus control/discrimination and genelization

Stimulus Control and Stimulus Discrimination

Stimulus Control refers to the process by which behavior is influenced by

the presence or absence of specific stimuli. In other words, an individual’s
behavior is more likely to occur in the presence of a particular stimulus that
has been consistently associated with reinforcement.

 Stimulus Control: This occurs when a behavior is reliably triggered by

a specific stimulus. For example, a child may start doing their
homework when they hear a specific cue, like a bell ringing or an
announcement. The bell serves as the stimulus that controls the
behavior (doing homework).

Stimulus Discrimination is the ability to differentiate between two or more

stimuli and respond appropriately to each one based on their consequences.
It involves learning which stimuli are associated with reinforcement and
which are not.

 Stimulus Discrimination: For example, a dog might learn to sit only

when the owner uses a certain hand signal (stimulus), and not when a
different signal or cue is used. This involves distinguishing between
different stimuli and responding only to those associated with
reinforcement.

How It Works:

 Stimulus Control is developed by consistently pairing a specific

stimulus with reinforcement for a behavior. Over time, the behavior
 becomes associated with that stimulus and more likely to occur when
it is present.
 Stimulus Discrimination is learned by exposing the individual to
multiple stimuli and reinforcing the correct behavior in the presence of
the stimulus that signals reinforcement while not reinforcing it in other
situations.

Most Effective For:

 Stimulus Control is effective in teaching specific behaviors in

particular contexts, such as classroom settings, therapy sessions, or in
behavior therapy for individuals with developmental disabilities,
autism, or ADHD.
 Stimulus Discrimination is useful for training people or animals to
recognize and respond differently to similar stimuli. It’s often used in
teaching discrimination skills (e.g., understanding that different cues or
contexts require different responses).

Generalization

Generalization refers to the tendency for a learned behavior to occur in

situations or environments that are different from the one in which the
behavior was originally learned. It means that the behavior "generalizes" to
new settings, people, or situations without requiring specific teaching for
each new situation.

How It Works:

Generalization occurs when a behavior that has been reinforced in one

context or environment begins to occur in other similar contexts. For
example, if a child learns to ask for help when they need it in the classroom,
they may begin to do the same in other settings, such as at home or in the
playground, without needing to be taught each time.

 Reinforcement in Multiple Settings: To encourage generalization,

reinforcement should be provided in a variety of settings, people, or
situations, which helps the individual realize that the behavior is
acceptable in all contexts.
  Broadening Cues: When a person is taught a behavior with certain
cues (e.g., specific language or prompts), gradually shifting to broader
or different cues can promote generalization of the behavior.

Most Effective For:

 Generalization is highly effective for ensuring that behaviors learned

in one situation (e.g., a therapy session or training) are carried over
into everyday life, helping individuals maintain and apply learned skills
in real-world settings.
 It’s commonly used with individuals with autism, developmental
disabilities, and those undergoing behavior modification therapy to
help them generalize skills such as social behavior, communication,
and daily living tasks across different environments (e.g., school,
home, community).

Key Differences:

 Stimulus Control and Stimulus Discrimination focus on teaching

an individual to respond correctly to specific cues or stimuli.
 Generalization ensures that the behavior is not limited to one
environment but can occur in other similar situations. It broadens the
applicability of learned behavior.

In summary:

 Stimulus Control: Behavior is influenced by the presence of specific

stimuli.
 Stimulus Discrimination: Ability to differentiate between stimuli and
respond appropriately.
 Generalization: Behavior learned in one context applies across
different contexts, settings, or situations.

Token Economy is a behavioral strategy that uses tokens as a form of

reinforcement to encourage desirable behaviors. Tokens are earned by
individuals for exhibiting specific target behaviors and can later be
exchanged for a variety of rewards or privileges, such as toys, privileges, or
other reinforcers.
How It Works:

1. Identifying Target Behaviors: Specific, observable behaviors are

identified that the individual needs to exhibit (e.g., completing
homework, following directions).
2. Earning Tokens: Individuals earn tokens (points, stickers, chips, etc.)
for displaying the desired behaviors. These tokens act as secondary
reinforcers because they are associated with the larger rewards.
3. Exchanging Tokens: Once enough tokens are accumulated, the
individual can exchange them for preferred rewards or privileges.

Most Effective For:

 Children with Behavioral Disorders: Token economies are widely

used in classrooms and at home for children with ADHD, autism, or
oppositional defiant disorder (ODD), as they help promote desired
behaviors by providing immediate and tangible reinforcement.
 Developmental Disabilities: It is effective for individuals with
developmental disabilities, including autism spectrum disorder (ASD),
to reinforce self-care skills, social skills, and academic behaviors.
 Mental Health Settings: Token economies are used in therapeutic
settings (e.g., residential treatment facilities, psychiatric hospitals) to
encourage positive behavior change, such as improved hygiene,
reduced aggression, or participation in therapeutic activities.

How It Works in Short:

A token economy involves earning tokens for good behavior, which can be
exchanged for rewards. It works by reinforcing positive behavior through a
system of tangible rewards, promoting motivation and behavior change over
time. It is most effective in structured environments and with individuals who
respond well to external motivation and reinforcement.

Relaxation Exercises are techniques used to reduce stress, anxiety, and

physical tension by promoting a state of deep relaxation in the body and
mind. These exercises help individuals calm their nervous system, manage
emotional responses, and improve overall well-being.
How It Works:

Relaxation exercises typically involve focusing on breathing, body

awareness, or guided imagery to promote a calm and relaxed state.
Common techniques include:

1. Progressive Muscle Relaxation (PMR): Tensing and then relaxing

different muscle groups to release physical tension.
2. Deep Breathing: Focusing on slow, deep, and controlled breaths to
lower heart rate and promote relaxation.
3. Guided Imagery: Visualizing calming and peaceful scenarios to shift
focus away from stressors.
4. Mindfulness Meditation: Focusing on the present moment to reduce
stress and promote emotional regulation.

Most Effective For:

 Anxiety Disorders: Relaxation exercises are highly effective for

individuals with generalized anxiety disorder (GAD), panic disorder, or
social anxiety, as they help calm the nervous system and manage
stress responses.
 Stress Management: Useful for individuals experiencing chronic
stress from work, personal life, or other external factors.
 Sleep Disorders: Techniques like progressive muscle relaxation can
improve sleep quality by helping individuals relax before bed.
 Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD): Relaxation exercises help
individuals with PTSD manage anxiety and physiological arousal
related to trauma.
 Chronic Pain: Helps in managing pain by relaxing the body and
promoting a sense of calm.

How It Works in Short:

Relaxation exercises promote mental and physical calm by focusing on deep

breathing, muscle relaxation, or calming imagery. They are most effective in
treating anxiety, stress, sleep issues, and chronic pain by reducing
physiological symptoms and promoting relaxation.

Thought Stopping is a cognitive-behavioral technique used to interrupt and

eliminate unwanted, distressing, or intrusive thoughts. The goal is to break
the cycle of negative thinking by teaching individuals to notice and stop
these thoughts as soon as they occur.

How It Works:

1. Identify Negative Thoughts: The first step is to become aware of

unwanted thoughts, such as worries, self-criticism, or obsessive
thoughts.
2. Interrupt the Thought: When the negative thought occurs, the
individual mentally commands themselves to "Stop!" or uses a physical
cue (like snapping a rubber band on their wrist) to disrupt the thought
process.
3. Replace with Positive Thought: After stopping the thought, the
individual replaces it with a positive or neutral thought to redirect their
thinking.

Most Effective For:

 Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder (OCD): Thought stopping is widely

used to manage intrusive or obsessive thoughts, helping individuals
control compulsive behaviors that arise from these thoughts.
 Anxiety and Panic Disorders: It helps individuals stop rumination
and worry, which can trigger anxiety and panic attacks.
 Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD): Used to interrupt
distressing, trauma-related thoughts that may lead to emotional
distress.
 Depression: Can help manage negative self-talk and depressive
thoughts that reinforce feelings of hopelessness or low self-worth.

How It Works in Short:

Thought stopping helps individuals disrupt negative or intrusive thoughts by

using techniques like mentally commanding "Stop!" or using a physical cue.
It is most effective for managing anxiety, OCD, PTSD, and depression by
breaking the cycle of distressing thoughts and replacing them with more
positive or neutral ones.

Systematic Desensitization is a behavioral therapy technique used to

help individuals reduce anxiety or fear responses to specific stimuli or
situations by gradually and systematically exposing them to those stimuli in
a controlled manner. It combines relaxation training with gradual exposure
to feared objects or situations.

How It Works:

1. Relaxation Training: The individual is first taught relaxation

techniques, such as deep breathing or progressive muscle relaxation,
to help them manage anxiety.
2. Creating a Hierarchy: The therapist helps the individual create a list
(hierarchy) of feared situations or objects, ranked from least to most
anxiety-provoking.
3. Gradual Exposure: The individual is then gradually exposed to the
items or situations on the hierarchy, starting with the least anxiety-
provoking. During each step of exposure, they practice relaxation
techniques to remain calm.
4. Desensitization: Over time, repeated exposure helps reduce the
anxiety response, as the individual learns to associate the feared
stimulus with a calm, relaxed state.

Most Effective For:

 Phobias: It is particularly effective for treating specific phobias (e.g.,

fear of spiders, flying, or social situations) by gradually desensitizing
the individual to the feared object or situation.
 Anxiety Disorders: It is helpful in treating generalized anxiety, social
anxiety, and performance anxiety.
 Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD): Can be used to reduce
anxiety related to traumatic memories or stimuli associated with
trauma.

How It Works in Short:

Systematic desensitization uses gradual exposure to feared stimuli paired

with relaxation techniques to reduce anxiety. It is most effective for phobias,
anxiety disorders, and PTSD, helping individuals learn to associate anxiety-
provoking situations with calmness rather than fear.

Assertiveness Training is a therapeutic technique designed to help

individuals express their thoughts, feelings, and needs in an open, honest,
and respectful way, without aggression or passivity. The goal is to help
individuals improve their communication skills, build self-confidence, and
maintain healthy relationships.

How It Works:

1. Education: Individuals are taught about the difference between

assertiveness, aggression, and passivity. They learn the importance of
standing up for themselves while respecting others' rights.
2. Role-Playing: Clients practice assertive communication through role-
playing exercises, where they rehearse how to express themselves
clearly and respectfully in various situations.
3. Skill Building: Training includes teaching specific skills like making "I"
statements (e.g., "I feel... when you..."), setting boundaries, saying
"no" without guilt, and handling criticism.
4. Feedback and Practice: Individuals are given feedback on their
assertiveness skills and encouraged to practice in real-life situations.

Most Effective For:

 Social Anxiety: Assertiveness training is highly effective for

individuals with social anxiety, as it helps them feel more confident in
social interactions and reduces fear of rejection.
 Low Self-Esteem: It helps individuals with low self-esteem to express
themselves more confidently and set appropriate boundaries.
 Relationship Issues: It is useful in improving communication in
relationships (romantic, family, or professional) by helping individuals
express their needs and desires clearly and respectfully.
 Depression: For people with depression, assertiveness training can
help improve self-worth and empower them to communicate their
feelings and needs.
 Anger Management: It helps people manage anger by teaching them
how to express frustration in an appropriate and constructive way,
rather than resorting to passive or aggressive behaviors.

How It Works in Short:

Assertiveness training teaches individuals to communicate their thoughts,

feelings, and needs clearly and respectfully. It is most effective for social
anxiety, low self-esteem, relationship issues, and anger management,
helping people become more confident, improve communication, and
maintain healthy boundaries in various situations.

Exposure Therapy is a type of cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT) that

helps individuals confront and reduce their fear or anxiety toward a feared
object, situation, or thought. The process involves gradual exposure to the
feared stimulus in a controlled and safe environment, helping individuals
learn that their fears are often exaggerated and that the feared situation is
not as dangerous as they believe.

How It Works:

1. Identify the Fear: The therapist helps the individual identify specific
fears or anxieties, whether they are related to objects (e.g., spiders),
situations (e.g., social events), or thoughts (e.g., fear of losing control).
2. Gradual Exposure: The individual is exposed to the feared stimulus in
a systematic, gradual way. This exposure may start with imagining the
feared situation, progressing to viewing pictures, and eventually
moving to direct confrontation.
3. Habituation: As exposure continues, anxiety typically decreases
through a process called habituation, where the individual becomes
less sensitive to the feared stimulus over time.
4. Coping Skills: During exposure, individuals may also learn and
practice coping strategies (e.g., relaxation techniques, breathing
exercises) to manage anxiety.

Most Effective For:

 Phobias: Exposure therapy is highly effective in treating specific

phobias, such as fear of flying, heights, animals, or social situations.
 Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD): It is commonly used to
help individuals with PTSD confront and reduce their emotional and
physical reactions to trauma-related cues.
 Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder (OCD): Exposure therapy, often in
combination with response prevention, is used to help individuals with
OCD confront obsessive thoughts and resist compulsive behaviors.
 Generalized Anxiety Disorder (GAD): It helps reduce excessive
worry by exposing individuals to feared situations and helping them
tolerate anxiety without engaging in avoidance behaviors.
  Social Anxiety Disorder: It is used to reduce fear of social
interactions by gradually exposing individuals to social situations.

How It Works in Short:

Exposure therapy involves gradually and systematically exposing individuals

to feared stimuli or situations to reduce anxiety over time. It is most effective
for treating phobias, PTSD, OCD, GAD, and social anxiety by helping
individuals face their fears in a controlled and supportive environment,
ultimately decreasing the intensity of their anxiety.

Convert Assertion is a technique used in assertiveness training that

involves expressing feelings, thoughts, or desires indirectly or in a non-
confrontational way, typically through self-talk or writing. It is especially
helpful for individuals who find it difficult to assert themselves directly in
social situations or with others, but still want to express their needs or
boundaries.

How It Works:

1. Self-Talk: The individual engages in assertive self-talk, where they

mentally express their needs or desires in a firm and respectful way.
This helps the person clarify their thoughts and prepare for potential
future situations where direct assertion might be needed.
2. Writing: In some cases, individuals may write out their thoughts or
feelings (e.g., letters, journaling) to express what they would say in a
situation where direct communication feels too challenging. This can
help them feel heard and validated, even if they don’t say it out loud.
3. Preparation for Direct Assertion: The technique is used as a
preparatory step, allowing individuals to gain confidence in asserting
themselves and become more comfortable with direct communication
in the future.

Most Effective For:

 Social Anxiety: Convert assertion is helpful for individuals with social

anxiety who may struggle with direct communication, allowing them to
build confidence before engaging in assertive behaviors in real-life
interactions.
  Low Self-Esteem: It helps individuals who have low self-esteem or
fear rejection practice expressing their needs in a way that doesn’t feel
threatening or confrontational.
 Emotional Regulation: It can be used as a way to process emotions
in situations where the individual feels too overwhelmed or scared to
assert themselves directly.
 Assertiveness Skill-Building: Useful for those who are new to
assertiveness training and want to ease into direct assertion.

How It Works in Short:

Convert assertion involves expressing thoughts, feelings, or needs indirectly,

through self-talk or writing, rather than direct verbal communication. It is
most effective for individuals with social anxiety, low self-esteem, or those
who are learning assertiveness, providing a safe way to practice and gain
confidence in asserting themselves.

Covert Sensitization is a behavioral therapy technique used to reduce or

eliminate undesirable behaviors by pairing them with unpleasant or aversive
thoughts or images. It involves creating a mental image of the unwanted
behavior followed by an imagined aversive consequence, helping the
individual associate negative feelings with the behavior.

How It Works:

1. Identify the Problematic Behavior: The therapist helps the

individual identify the undesirable behavior they wish to stop (e.g.,
smoking, overeating, or engaging in compulsive behaviors).
2. Create a Negative Mental Image: The individual is asked to vividly
imagine the behavior and then mentally pair it with an unpleasant or
aversive stimulus (e.g., nausea, shame, or a negative consequence).
3. Repetition: This process is repeated over time, strengthening the
association between the unwanted behavior and the aversive
consequence.
4. Goal: The goal is for the individual to mentally associate the behavior
with discomfort or negative emotions, ultimately reducing the
likelihood of the behavior occurring in the future.
Most Effective For:

 Addictive Behaviors: Covert sensitization is particularly effective for

reducing behaviors such as smoking, alcohol use, or drug addiction by
associating these behaviors with negative feelings or consequences.
 Compulsive Behaviors: It can be used for issues like compulsive
gambling, overeating, or compulsive sexual behaviors by creating
negative associations.
 Phobias and Fears: Can be applied to treat certain phobias or
anxiety-provoking behaviors by pairing the feared situation with an
aversive consequence in the imagination.

How It Works in Short:

Covert sensitization uses the power of negative mental imagery to help

individuals break unwanted behaviors by pairing them with unpleasant or
aversive feelings. It is most effective for treating addictive behaviors,
compulsive actions, and some phobias by helping individuals mentally
associate their behaviors with negative outcomes.

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