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Conversion Success

 

Alexander, L. (1967b) Psychotherapy of sexual deviation with the aids of hypnosis. American Journal of Clinical Hypnosis. 9:181 - 183.

SUBJECT: 1 male, married

METHOD: Clinical hypnosis and psychotherapy

RESULTS: Free from same-sex desires, no longer regarded as gay by other same-sex men, closer to wife, better sexual relations, disappearance of effeminate mannerisms.

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Bancroft, J., Marks, I. (1968) Electric aversion therapy of sexual deviations. Proceedings Royal Society of Medicine. 61:796 -799

SUBJECTS: 19 males

METHOD: Treated with aversive instrumental conditioning with shock.

RESULTS: 13/18 (72%) are changed or somewhat changed; at one year follow-up 1/10 much improved, 4/10 improved

Bancroft, J. (1970) A comparative study of aversion and desensitization in the treatment of homosexuality (in Burns, L. & Worsley, J. Behavior Therapy in 1970's: A Collection of Original Papers. Bristol, England: John Wright & Sons.) 12 - 33.

SUBJECTS: 23 males

METHOD: 11 treated by systematic desensitization, 12 treated by aversive instrumental conditioning with shock.

RESULTS: 3 men much improved, 7 improved, considered as changes in sexual orientation and behavior that are likely to continue. (Aversion -- 1 much improved, 4 improved; Desensitization -- 2 much improved, 3 improved)

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Blitch, J., Haynes, S. (1972) Multiple behavioral techniques in a case of female homosexuality. Journal of Behavior Therapy and Experimental Psychiatry. 3:319 - 322.

SUBJECT: 1 female

METHOD: Behavior rehearsal, role playing, systematic desensitization to heterosexuality, masturbatory conditioning

RESULTS: Heterosexual behavior and images.

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Cautela, J. (1967) Covert sensitization. Psychological Reports. 20: 459 - 469

SUBJECTS: 2 males

METHODS: Covert sensitization in vivo

RESULTS: No homosexual behavior.

Cautela, J., Wisocki, P. (1969) The use of male and female therapists in the treatment of same-sex behavior (in Rubin, R., Franks, C. Advances in behavior therapy. NY: Academic Press.) 165 - 174.

SUBJECTS: 4 males

METHOD: Systematic desensitization in vivo, covert sensitization, assertiveness training

RESULTS: 1 married; 1 engaged; 2 dating.

Cautela, J. (1970) Covert reinforcement.

Cautela, J. (1971a) Covert extinction. Behavior Therapy. 2: 192 -200. [in James 1978]

Cautela, J, Wisocki, P. (1971b) Covert sensitization for the treatment of sexual deviation. Psychological Record. 21: 37 - 48.

SUBJECTS: 8 males

METHOD: Covert sensitization.

RESULTS: 3 changed (37%) year follow up.
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Colson, S. (1972) Olfactory aversion therapy for same-sex behavior. Journal of Behavior Therapy and Experimental Psychiatry. 3: 185 - 187.

SUBJECT: 1 male

METHOD: Aversive instrumental conditioning in vivo and marital counseling

RESULTS: Marriage improved substantially

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Conrad, S., Wincze, J. (1976) Orgasmic reconditioning: A controlled study of its effects upon the sexual arousal and behavior of adult male gay men. Behavior Therapy. 7: 155 -166.

SUBJECTS: 3 males

METHOD: Masturbatory conditioning

RESULTS: 1 no longer bothered by gay thoughts; 1 pleased by successful heterosexual relations; 1 heterosexual interests.
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Curtis, R., Presly, A. (1972) The extinction of same-sex behavior by covert sensitization: A case study. Behavior Research and Therapy 10:81 - 83.

SUBJECT: 1 male, married

METHOD: Covert sensitization in vivo, aversion relief conditioning

RESULTS: Complete abstinence of homosexuality in fantasy and reality, marriage improved

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Feldman, S. (1956) On homosexuality (in Lorand, S., Balint, M. Perversions: Psychodynamics and Therapy. NY: Random House.) 71 - 96.

Feldman, M., Mac Culloch, (1965) The application of anticipatory avoidance learning to the treatment of homosexuality. Behaviour Research & Therapy. 2: 165 - 183.

Feldman, M., MacCulloch, M. (1971) same-sex Behavior: Therapy and Assessment. Oxford: Pergamon Press.

SUBJECTS: 41 males, 7 females.

METHOD: Anticipatory avoidance conditioning, aversion relief conditioning therapy.
RESULTS: "Treatment... was successful in nearly 60% of the cases after a follow-up of at least a year."
At follow-up 20 neither same-sex fantasy or practice; 4 still using same-sex fantasy
DEFINITION OF CHANGE: "Our criteria for accepting the occurrence of change were severe, and we have attempted to prove patients' claims to be false rather than accepting them at face value. Failure to appear was rated as a failure.
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Fookes, B (1968) Some experiences in the use of aversion therapy in male homosexuality, exhibitionism and fetishism-transvestitism. The British Journal of Psychiatry. 115: 339 - 341.
SUBJECTS: 15 males
METHOD: Aversive classical conditioning with shock
RESULTS: 9 successes defined as unrefuted claim to have lost desire for homosexuality, supported claim to have enjoyed heterosexual coitus on more than 1 occasion. Average follow-up of successes 37.5 months.
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Freeman, W., Meyer, R. (1975) A behavioral alteration of sexual preferences in the human male. Behavior Therapy. 6: 206 - 212.
ABSTRACT: "Sexual behavior is analyzed as a complex social episode composed of alternating instrumental and respondent behaviors. The type of sexual consummatory behavior selected by an individual is mainly a function of the type of stimuli eliciting sexual arousal and penile erection. A therapy was designed to alter the arousal eliciting stimuli for nine male same-sex men by classical conditioning techniques."
SUBJECTS: 9 males
METHOD: Aversive classical conditioning with shock
RESULTS: At 18 months follow-up, 7 continued exclusive heterosexual adjustment
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Freund, K. (1960) Some problems in the treatment of homosexuality (in Eysenck, H. Behavior Therapy and Neurosis. London: Pergamon Press) 312 - 326.
SUBJECTS: 67 males (20 were court referred cases)
METHOD: Aversive classic conditioning with drugs
RESULTS: 17 (26%) of the 47 non-court referred and 0% of the court-referred showed adaptation lasting several years. 7 (15%) of the non-court referred and 3% of the court-referred showed short term change in adaptation.
Freund, K. (1971) A note on the use of phallometric method of measuring mild sexual arousal in the male. Behavior Therapy. 2: 223 -228.
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Gray, J. (1970) Case conference: Behavior therapy in a patient with same-sex fantasies and heterosexual anxiety. Journal of Behavior Therapy and Experimental Psychiatry. 1: 225 - 232.
SUBJECT: 1 male
METHOD: Systematic desensitization
RESULTS: Partial recovery
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Hallam, R., Rachman, S. (1972) Some effects of aversion therapy on patients with sexual disorders. Behavior Research and Therapy. 10: 171 - 180.
SUBJECTS: 3 males
METHOD: Systematic desensitization
RESULTS: 1 improved; 2 remained homosexually active
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Hanson, R., Adesso, V. (1972) A multiple behavioral approach to male same-sex behavior: A case study. Journal of Behavior Therapy and Experimental Psychiatry. 3: 323 - 325
SUBJECTS: 1 male
METHOD: Systematic desensitization
RESULTS: At 6 months continued enjoying heterosexual activity, same-sex inclination negligible
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Ince, L. (1973) Behavior modification of sexual disorders. American Journal of Psychotherapy. 27: 446 - 451.
SUBJECTS: 1 male
METHOD: Covert sensitization
RESULTS: Felt sexually neutral
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James, B. (1962) A case of homosexuality treated by aversion therapy. British Medical Journal. 1:768 - 770
James, B., Early, D. (1963) Aversion therapy for homosexuality. British Medical Journal. 1:538.
Follow up of previous articles
SUBJECTS: 1 male
METHOD: Aversive classical conditioning with shock
RESULTS: 18 month follow-up no recurrence of same-sex drives, some same-sex attraction.
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Kraft, T. (1967) A case of homosexuality treated by systemic desensitization. American Journal of Psychotherapy. 21: 815 - 821.
SUBJECTS: 1 male
METHOD: Systematic desensitization
RESULTS: 9 months follow-up, no recurrence of same-sex desires, desires heterosexual intercourse.
Kraft (1970)
THEORY: "Desensitization techniques are preferable to aversion techniques because they promote the incorporation of heterosexual activity as opposed to merely the elimination of same-sex attraction."
Kraft, T., (1971) A case of homosexuality treated by combined behavior therapy and psychotherapy: A total assessment. Psychotherapy and Psychosomatics. 19: 342 - 358.
SUBJECTS: 1 male
METHOD: Systematic desensitization and psychoanalytic treatment
RESULTS: same-sex thoughts had disappeared, better general adjustment.
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Levin, S., Hirsh, T., Shugar, G., Kapche, R. (1968) Treatment of same-sex and heterosexual anxiety with avoidance conditioning and systematic desensitization: Data and case report. Psychotherapy: Theory, Research, and Practice. 5: 160 -168.
SUBJECT: 1 male
METHOD: Avoidance conditioning
RESULTS: Satisfactory heterosexual relations with occasional same-sex fantasy.
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LoPiccolo, J. (1971) Case study: Systematic desensitization of homosexuality. Behavior Therapy. 2: 394 - 399.
SUBJECTS: 1 male
METHOD: Systematic desensitization
RESULTS: Heterosexually active, no same-sex urges at 11 month follow-up.
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Maletzky, B., George, F. (1973b) The treatment of homosexuality by 'assisted' covert sensitization. Behavior Research and Therapy. 11: 655 - 657.
SUBJECTS: 10 males
METHOD: Covert sensitization
RESULTS: 4 passed temptation test at follow-up (one of these required 10 booster sessions.)
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Mandel, K.(1970) Preliminary report on a new aversion therapy for male same-sex men. Behavior Research and Therapy. 8: 93 - 95.
SUBJECTS: 2 males
METHOD: Aversive classical conditioning.
RESULTS: Improvement, but concerned about possible relapse.
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Marquis, J. (1970) Orgasmic reconditioning: Changing sexual object choice through controlling masturbation fantasies. Journal of Behavior Therapy and Experimental Psychiatry. 1: 263 - 271.
SUBJECTS: 6 males, 1 female
METHOD: Masturbatory conditioning and other methods
RESULTS: Female achieved satisfying relationship with man. Males saw improvement but with relapses
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Mastellone, M. (1974) Aversion therapy: A new use for the old rubber band. Journal of Behavior Therapy and Experimental Psychiatry. 5: 311 - 312.
SUBJECTS: 1 male
METHOD: Aversive instrumental conditioning
RESULTS: Heterosexual activity
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Master, W., Johnson, V. (1979) Homosexuality in Perspective. Boston: Little Brown, Co.
SUBJECTS: 67 gaymen, 14 lesbians who requested reversion therapy to heterosexuals
METHOD: Sexual training
RESULTS: Success rate of 71.6% after a follow-up of six years.
THERAPY: "No longer should the qualified psychotherapist avoid the responsibility of either accepting the same-sex client in treatment or... referring him or her to an acceptable treatment source."
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McConaghy, N. (1969) Subjective and penile plethysmograph responses following aversion-relief and apomorphine aversion therapy for same-sex impulses. British Journal of Psychiatry. 115 : 723 - 730.
SUBJECTS: Total 40 - 20 drug therapy group (10 males + 10 males in a delayed therapy control group); 20 shock therapy (10 males + 10 males in delayed therapy control group)
METHOD: Aversive classical conditioning with drugs compared to aversive classical conditioning with shock.
RESULTS: After treatment, 27 of the patients were rated as more heterosexual, 9 as more same-sex. Final outcome: 10 marked improvement; 15 some improvement; 10 no improvement; 5 lost to follow-up.
McConaghy, N. (1971) Aversion therapy of samesexity: Measures of efficacy. American Journal of Psychiatry. 127, 9 : 1221 - 1224.
McConaghy, N., Barr, R., (1973) Classical, avoidance and backward conditioning treatments of homosexuality. The British Journal of Psychiatry. 122: 151 - 162.
SUBJECTS: 46 males
METHOD: 31 treated with aversive classical conditioning with shock; 15 with avoidance conditioning
RESULTS: At 9 month follow-up 13 had an increase in heterosexual desire. 25% ceased same-sex relations
McConaghy, N. (1975) Aversive and positive conditioning treatments of homosexuality. Behavior Research and Therapy. 13: 309 - 319.
SUBJECTS: 16 males aversive conditioning, 15 males positive conditioning
METHOD: Aversive classical conditioning with shock compared to positive conditioning.
RESULTS: At one year follow-up - 14 reported an increase in heterosexual desire, 7 reported an increase in heterosexual relations.
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McCrady, R., (1973) A forward-fading technique for increasing heterosexual responsiveness in male same-sex. Journal of Behavior therapy and Experimental Psychiatry. 4:257 - 261.
SUBJECTS: 1 male
METHOD: Forward fading and group therapy
RESULTS: Remained homosexually active
CASE: Successful treatment of a 27-year-old gay man who had occasional same-sex experiences from the age 16. However, "for both moral and practical reasons, when he entered therapy, he was highly motivated to increase his heterosexual behavior (and to decrease his same-sex behavior)" McCrady showed the client a nude female and then faded the image into a nude male. During the course of therapy, the client began referring to himself by saying, "when I used to be same-sex."
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Myerson, A., Neustadt, R. (1946) Essential male homosexuality and results of treatment. AMA Archives of Neurology and Psychiatry. 55:291 - 293.
SUBJECT: 15 males (essential same-sex men)
METHOD: Treatment with methyl testosterone
RESULTS: 1 reported same-sex feelings disappeared
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Philips, D., Fischer, S., Groves, G., Singh, R.(1976) Alternative behavioral approaches to the treatment of homosexuality. Archives of Sexual Behavior. 5: 223 -228.
SUBJECT: 31-year-old same-sex man who requested sexual reorientation because the gay world was losing its appeal. The client experienced anxiety concerning heterosexual physical contact.
METHOD: Therapy used two desensitization hierarchies.
RESULTS: Client able to initiate heterosexual contact and at 18 months follow-up reported no same-gender sexual activity.
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Rehm, L., Rozensky, R. (1974) Multiple behavior therapy techniques with a same-sex client: A case study. Journal of Behavior Therapy and Experimental Psychiatry. 5: 53 - 57.
SUBJECT: 1 male
METHOD: Various forms of behavior modification, including hypnosis
RESULTS: No same-sex activity, heterosexual dating
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Roper, P. (1967) The effects of hypnotherapy on homosexuality. Canadian Medical Association Journal. 96: Feb., 11: 319 - 327
ABSTRACT: "Fifteen same-sex men were treated with hypnosis. The patients were selected from a general psychiatric practice and had a long history of confirmed homosexual behavior and showed no evidence of organic or psychotic illness. The type of hypnotic induction attempted in all cases is described. In those where a satisfactory depth of hypnotic trance was achieved a change in sexual orientation was suggested to the patient."
CHANGE: "Before therapy, each patient was assessed using the Kinsey scale. Results were evaluated in terms of the patient's subsequent behavior and his subjective feelings . Of the 15 patients, three showed no improvement, four showed a mild improvement and eight showed a marked improvement. There as a significant correlation between the depth of hypnosis achieved and the therapeutic outcome. Those patients who reached a deep level of hypnotic trance were most likely to show a marked improvement. There were no significant correlation's with other factors such as degree of homosexuality as measured on the Knsey scale and the patient's marital status."
"Treatment of same-sex men with hypnosis may produce more satisfactory results than those obtained by other means. The best results are likely to be achieved with patients who are good hypnotic subjects." The deeper the hypnosis more likely improvement.
SUBJECTS: 15 males
METHOD: Hypnosis
RESULTS: 3 no improvement; 4 mild improvement; 8 marked improvement.
Roper, Rozensky (1974)
SUBJECTS: 13 males
METHOD: Hypnosis
RESULTS: Homosexuality no longer attractive, dating female
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Salter, Melville (1972)
SUBJECT: 1 male
METHOD: Masturbatory conditioning
RESULTS: Client satisfied with change
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Sandford, D., Tustin, R., Priest, P. (1975) Increasing heterosexual arousal in two adult male homosexuals using a differential reinforcement procedure. Behavior Therapy. 6: 689 - 693.
SUBJECTS: 2 males
METHOD: Aversive and positive instrumental conditioning with shock
RESULTS: Lost desire for same-sex contact, aroused at sight of women
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Schmidt, E., Castell, D., Brown, P. (1965) A retrospective study of 42 cases of behavior therapy. Behavior Research and Therapy. 3: 9 - 19.
SUBJECTS: 9 same-sex subjects
METHOD: Behavior therapy
RESULTS: 3 marked improvement
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Schwartz, M., Masters, W. (1984) The Masters and Johnson treatment program for dissatisfied same-sex men. American Journal of Psychiatry. 141: 173 - 181.
SUBJECTS: Individuals who want to change same-sex preference
METHOD: Psychotherapy - short term intensive intervention
RESULTS: Failure rate after intervention - 20.9%, after 5 year follow-up - 28.4%
CASE: 25 year-old-man had first same-sex experience at 13 arranged by lesbian mother with older gay man. Complete change of orientation.
RELIGION: "A common situation is that of the man who accepts the Biblical dictum that homosexuality is a sin. He feels guilty each time he has a same-sex experience. No matter how the man is encouraged to understand the unfolding of his homosexuality, he says, "Yes, but it is a sin." Such a man may be helped to 1) realize that there are different theological interpretations of the Bible, 2) understand that he is using his religion to castigate himself, or 3) see that he is playing games with his religion by using confession as permission to do what he considers to be a sin. Restricting of the belief that homosexuality is a sin is necessary before the man in therapy can make heterosexuality a "want-to" rather than "have-to" goal. (178)
CHOICE: "... to ignore the goals of clients who want to change their preference is both paradoxical and prejudiced. The paradoxical messages is "You are a same-sex and have to learn to live with it," which is contradictory to a major research finding of the last decade: Homosexuality is simply a descriptive term applied to a person who has a preference for same-sex romantic and sexual consorts.
"The Institute does not subscribe to the concept that all homosexuals could or should establish heterosexual intimacy. This in not, however, because homosexuality causes in some people and is therefore resistant to change. The current position is that if and when demonstrable biologic influences are firmly established there is no evidence that they will systematically affect prognosis in therapy. Environmental influences may be demonstrated to be equally influential or non influential in polarizing sexual development."
CHANGE: "Beyond low levels of patient motivation and unattractive or disturbed partners, there are no secure indicators of poor prognosis for therapy. We have not found that presence or absence of previous gay or heterosexual experience or imagery can affect prognosis in a predictable way. Attention is focused on improving therapists' skills rather than identifying certain groups of patients as poor risks. In the absence of secure data or well established prognostic indicators, it is obvious that the strongest positive predictor of successful conversion or reversion therapy is the patient's rejection of homosexual identity and an unambivalent desire to pursue heterosexuality." (180)
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Solyom, L., Miller, S. (1965) A differential conditioning procedure as the initial phase of behavior therapy of homosexuality. Behavior Research and Therapy. 3: 147 - 160.
SUBJECTS: 10 practicing homosexuals, 6 latent homosexuals
METHOD: Behavior therapy
RESULTS: Practicing (3 marked improvement.) Latent (5 marked improvement, 1 moderate improvement.)

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Stevenson, I., Wolpe, J. (1960) Recovery from sexual deviations through overcoming non-sexual neurotic responses. The American Journal of Psychiatry. 116: 737 - 742
SUBJECTS: 2 males
METHOD: Assertiveness training
RESULTS: Both married, one had homosexual relapse under stress
CASE: Use of reeducation and assertiveness training in the successful reorientation of two gay men. In one case the authors describe a 22-year old man whose same-gender sexual experience began at age 14. The client had begun to consider himself exclusively same-sex and viewed counseling as his last possibility before accepting this conclusion. The counselor suggested to the man that he may have been "premature in assigning himself to the group of permanent homosexuals" and that the man's same-sex activity " was chiefly drive by a wish for friendly companionship with other men. After 10 sessions of encouragement of assertive behavior, the client terminated with plans to marry. The man reported heterosexual adjustments at a 3-year follow-up.

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Tarlow, G. (1989) Clinical Handbook of Behavior Therapy: Adult Psychological Disorders. Brookline MA: Brookline Books.

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Tanner, B. (1973) Shock intensity and fear of shock in the modification of same-sex behavior in males by avoidance learning. Behavior Research and Therapy. 11: 213 - 218.
SUBJECTS: 12 males
METHOD: Anticipatory avoidance conditioning
RESULTS: Outcome seen as change in penile circumference
Tanner, B. (1974) A comparison of automated aversive conditioning and waiting list control in the modification of same-sex behavior in males. Behavior Therapy. 5: 29 -32.
SUBJECTS: 6 males
METHODS: Anticipatory avoidance conditioning
Tanner, B., (1975) Avoidance training with and without booster sessions to modify same-sex behavior in males. Behavior Therapy. 6: 649 - 653.
SUBJECTS: 5 males
METHOD: Booster sessions for previous therapy
RESULTS: No significant differences between those receiving booster sessions and those not.
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Turner, R., Pielmaier, H., James, S., Orwin, A. (1974) Personality characteristics of male homosexuals referred for aversion therapy: A comparative study. British Journal Psychiatry. 125: 447 - 449.
SUBJECTS: 51 gay men referred for treatment; 59 non-patient homosexuals (41 had never sought treatment, 18 had previously done so.)Patients were "markedly neurotic".
RESULTS: Significant differences were found.

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Thompson, G. (1949) Electroshock and other therapeutic considerations in sexual psychopath. The Journal of Nervous and Mental disease. 109 : 531 -539.
SUBJECTS: 3 males, with other serious psychological problems
METHOD: Electric shock therapy
RESULTS: Did not change same-sex drive. Other areas somewhat improved
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Thorpe, J., Schmidt, E. (1964) Therapeutic failure in a case of aversion therapy. Behavior Research and Therapy. 1: 293 - 296.
SUBJECT: 1 male, same-sex fantasy no behavior
METHOD: Aversive classic conditioning with shock
RESULTS: Client was very upset by treatments and terminated
Thorpe, J., Schmidt, E., Castell, D. (1963) A comparison of positive and negative (aversive) conditioning in the treatment of homosexuality. Behavior Research and Therapy. 1:357 - 362.
SUBJECT: 1 male
METHOD: Masturbatory conditioning and aversive classic conditioning with shock
RESULTS: Small change with relapses
 

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von Schrenck-Notzing, A (1895) Therapeutic suggestion (in Psychopathia Sexualis. Philadelphia: Davis.) 320
CHANGE: One of the first studies of the treatment of homosexuality. Used hypnosis on 70 male patients. The hypnotic suggestion consisted of commanding the patient to suppress perverse practices and ideas, to think of perversion as repulsive and to think of heterosexual objects as attractive. This mode of treatment seemingly a forerunner of modern behavioral therapy, was reported to achieve 37.5 per cent cures and another 34 per cent improvement. The criterion of cure was the patient's ability to have heterosexual intercourse.
METHOD: Collected data from a number of different psychiatrists of 27 patients treated with hypnosis, 21 had a "cure" or great improvement of these, 19 reached a deep or moderate depth of hypnosis.
SUBJECTS: 27 patients
METHOD: Hypnosis
RESULTS: 21 cure or great improvement
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Wilson, G., Davison, G. (1974) Behavior therapy and homosexuality: A critical perspective. Behavior Therapy. 5: 16 - 17.