canpakes wrote: ↑Fri Oct 16, 2026 9:05 pm
MG 2.0 wrote: ↑Fri Oct 16, 2026 6:59 pm
Up to that point behaviorism and aversion conditioning were widely practiced across major research universities nationwide (including Harvard and UCLA).
I would be careful with the use of ‘widely’ on this one, especially considering BYU’s depth, scope and time devoted to this ‘research’ compared to elsewhere. A good source to review can be found at -
https://mormonr.org/qnas/parwO/gay_conv ... py_and_BYU
OK. Let's go with 'fairly widely'.
In the United States: University of Pittsburgh, University of Wisconsin–Madison, Temple University, Florida State University, University of Arizona, University of Hawaii, Rutgers University. In the UK: University of Birmingham, University of Manchester / Crumpsall Hospital, Institute of Psychiatry / Maudsley Hospital (University of London, University of Edinburgh. In Australia: University of New South Wales / University of Sydney.
canpakes wrote: ↑Fri Oct 16, 2026 9:05 pm
MG: Many behavioral psychologists at BYU viewed electric aversion as a standard, cutting-edge clinical tool rather than something controversial or fringe.
There’s no guarantee that people are made better by ‘curing’ them of homosexuality.
Nowaday, that's true. In the 1970's it was thought to play a part in curing people of a number of behaviors that were considered to be aberrant.
canpakes wrote: ↑Fri Oct 16, 2026 9:05 pm
I suppose the conversation should also include why BYU felt it necessary to try.
I think we may have already covered that.
canpakes wrote: ↑Fri Oct 16, 2026 9:05 pm
Either way, I’m not sure why it would be surprising (or
shocking) that administering electric shocks to people in the midst of thinking about or doing a particular activity would eventually result in an unpleasant association with that activity, but it was seen as holding some promise for dangerous or addictive behaviors such as alcoholism.
Yes, it was.
MG: Was BYU ahead of the curve or behind?
canpakes wrote: ↑Fri Oct 16, 2026 9:05 pm
If ‘the curve’ ends up being ineffective or dangerous, there’s not much to trumpet about being aggressive enough into it as to run right off the road.
It appears that BYU went pretty much in tandem with the other universities once the 1973 decision by the American Psychiatric Association decided to remove homosexuality as a mental disorder from the DSM. There was growing ethical criticism showing poor long term efficacy.
From the mid 1970's on BYU and the other universities that have been mentioned (and I'm sure others) started to wind down this kind of behavioral therapy.
Thank goodness. I can't even imagine that sort of thing going on nowadays.
Regards,
MG