Covert Sensitization as a Treatment for Weight Control

Abstract

Factors responsible for the success of covert sensitization were investigated with regard to effectiveness in initiating an aversion toward selected foods. 5 volunteers first were given forward-conditioning, then backward-conditioning trials using Cautela's covert sensitization procedures, and 5 Ss were given the opposite sequence. Conditions were then reversed allowing each S to serve as his own control. Significant reductions were found for all Ss in the intake of selected foods but no differential effect was found for the two conditioning procedures. This study supported the efficacy of using the rehearsal of an aversive scene to reduce food intake but suggests that motivational rather than learning factors may account for the results.