CONTROL OF VIOLENT BEHAVIOR THROUGH FARADIC SHOCK - A CASE STUDY

This study deals with the use of faradic shock administered as a punishment for the purpose of curbing the assaultive and violent behaviors of a 31-year-old, hospitalized, chronic schizophrenic female. During a base line period, an attempt was made to delineate the behaviors antecedent to these aggressive outbursts. From these observations, a hierarchy of behaviors was constructed that reflected the temporal sequence of events culminating in assaultive activity. Three levels of behaviors were chosen for modification: 1) aggressive acts, 2) verbal threats and 3) accusations of being persecuted and abused. The aversive conditioning approach was employed for each of these levels in a stepwise fashion, with each successive level of behaviors being included as punishable offenses once effective control over behaviors on the previous level had been demonstrated. The results indicated that a marked reduction in the incidence of the behaviors on all three levels was accomplished by means of this treatment approach. Of clinical interest was the appearance of “substitution symptoms” following the punishment of each successive level of aggressive and related behaviors. These symptoms proved to be transient. Shortly after instituting the punishment program for accusatory verbalizations, the patient began to show appropriate, socialized approach behavior which continued throughout the remainder of the program. Moreover, the patient’s weekly behavior rating scores indicated a significant improvement in general functioning over time following initiation of the aversive therapy program. Some possible reasons for the decrease in psychopathology and the increase in positive attributes in the patient were considered. © Williams & Wilkins 1969. All Rights Reserved.