The use of self-administered covert sensitization in the treatment of exhibitionism and sadism

This case study examines the response-response relationships between three distinct patterns of sexual arousal-exhibitionism, sadism, and heterosexual arousal-in the treatment of a 25-year-old male arrested for exhibitionism and attempted rape. Physiological and self-report measures of appropriate and deviant arousal were obtained in a baseline phase. Subsequently, a modification of covert sensitization involving the use of realistic aversive scenes and self-administration was successively employed with the two deviant arousal patterns in multiple-baseline fashion. Implementation of the treatment program led to rapid and stable reductions in both physiological and self-report measures of the specific arousal patterns being treated, while the other patterns of sexual arousal remained unchanged. At the end of treatment the client displayed low levels of arousal to exhibitionistic and sadistic stimuli, while maintaining appropriate heterosexual arousal. These treatment gains were sustained during a 2-month follow-up period. The data support the view that patterns of sexual arousal are independent entities which require individual assessment and treatment. The theoretical advantages of self-administered covert sensitization are discussed. © 1978 Association for Advancement of Behavior Therapy.

Duke Scholars

Author Kelly D. Brownell Sanford School of Public Policy