NCJ Number
243116
Date Published
2011
Length
10 pages
Annotation
The behavioral techniques discussed in this chapter have been used to alter sex offenders' patterns of sexual arousal.
Abstract
These techniques are used to increase arousal to appropriate sexual stimuli and to decrease arousal to deviant or inappropriate sexual stimuli. Although appropriate and inappropriate sexual stimuli and activities are culturally defined, in this chapter "inappropriate sexual stimuli" are those that involve children or exploitive or violent sexual activities. "Appropriate sexual stimuli" are those that involve consenting adults in non-exploitive or nonviolent activities. Where applicable, research findings relevant to juvenile sex offenders are addressed. The chapter first reviews the theoretical bases for the behavioral techniques presented. The review concludes that despite mixed reports from treatment outcome studies, the described techniques have a reasonably good record of success; however, more and better studies are needed that examine the effectiveness of these techniques. This should include studies that identify the active therapeutic ingredients when combinations of procedures are used, as well as studies that determine which procedures work best for specific types of offenders. After this review, the chapter briefly describes seven behavioral methods used to alter sexual arousal and the mechanisms underlying their effectiveness. Suggestions are provided for the implementation of each of the therapeutic methods. The behavioral techniques discussed are covert sensitization, assisted covert sensitization, olfactory conditioning, the satiation therapies, imaginal desensitization, aversive behavioral rehearsal, and arousal reconditioning. The first six methods are designed to decrease inappropriate sexual arousal. The seventh method, "arousal reconditioning," increases appropriate arousal patterns. 58 references