aversive conditioning

Aversive conditioning is a behavioral therapy technique used to change undesirable behaviors by associating them with unpleasant feelings. For example, a person who wants to stop smoking might be exposed to a mild electric shock when they light a cigarette. The goal is to create a negative association with the behavior, making it less appealing. This method relies on the principle of classical conditioning, where an automatic response to a stimulus is developed through repeated pairings of that stimulus with something negative. It's used to treat various issues, including addictions and certain phobias.