Abstract
The use of electric shock in a punishment paradigm has continued to be a highly controversial issue in the treatment of autistic children. While the experimental literature argues for the effectiveness of the procedure for reducing maladaptive behaviors, some clinicians and researchers have expressed fear of possible negative side effects. The reported side effects of contingent electric shock were reviewed in an attempt to evaluate the validity of these fears. The review indicated that the majority of reported side effects of shock were of a positive nature. These positive effects included response generalization, increases in social behavior, and positive emotional behavior. The few negative side effects reported included fear of the shock apparatus, negative emotional behavior, and increases in other maladaptive behavior. The implication of these findings for the use of the shock procedure are discussed in terms of correct usage of the shock, therapist reservations, and alternative procedures.
Similar content being viewed by others
References
Adler, A. [The education of children] (E. Jensen & F. Jensen, Trans.). Chicago: Regnery, 1970. (Originally published, 1930.)
Azrin, N. H., & Holz, W. C. Punishment. In W. K. Honig (Ed.),Operant behavior. New York: Appleton-Century-Crofts, 1966.
Azrin, N. H., Kaplan, S. J., & Foxx, R. M. Autism reversal: Eliminating stereotyped self-stimulation of retarded individuals.American Journal of Mental Deficiency, 1973,78, 241–248.
Baroff, G. S., & Tate, B. G. The use of aversive stimulation in the treatment of chronic self-injurious behavior.Journal of the American Academy of Child Psychiatry, 1968,7, 454–470.
Bettelheim, B.The empty fortress. New York: The Free Press, 1967.
Birnbrauer, J. S. Generalization of punishment effects—a case study.Journal of Applied Behavior Analysis, 1968,1, 201–211.
Browning, R. M. Treatment effects of a total behavior modification program with five autistic children.Behaviour Research and Therapy, 1971,9, 319–327.
Bucher, B., & King, L. Generalization of punishment effects in the deviant behavior of a psychotic child.Behavior Therapy, 1971,2, 68–77.
Bucher, B., & Lovaas, O. I. Use of aversive stimulation in behavior modification. In M. R. Jones (Ed.),Miami symposium on the prediction of behavior, 1967: Aversive stimulation. Coral Gables, Florida: University of Miami Press, 1968.
Craven, W. F. Protecting hospitalized patients from electrical hazards.Hewlett-Packard Journal, 1970,21 (7), 11–17.
Estes, W. K. An experimental study of punishment.Psychological Monographs, 1944,57 (3, Whole No. 263).
Foxx, R. M., & Azrin, N. H. Restitution: A method for eliminating aggressive-disruptive behavior of retarded and brain damaged patients.Behaviour Research and Therapy, 1972,10, 15–27.
Foxx, R. M., & Azrin, N. H. The elimination of autistic self-stimulatory behavior by over-correction.Journal of Applied Behavior Analysis, 1973,6, 1–14.
Freud, S. [Inhibitions, symptoms and anxiety.] In J. Strachey (Ed. and trans.),The standard edition of the complete psychological works of Sigmund Freud (Vol. 20). London: Hogarth, 1959. (Originally published, 1926.)
Freud, A.The ego and the mechanisms of defense. New York: International Universities Press, 1946.
Lovaas, O. I., Freitag, G., Kinder, M. I., Rubenstein, B. D., Schaeffer, B., & Simmons, J. Q. Establishment of social reinforcers in two schizophrenic children on the basis of food.Journal of Experimental Child Psychology, 1966,4, 109–125.
Lovaas, O. I., Schaeffer, B., & Simmons, J. Q. Building social behavior in autistic children by use of electric shock.Journal of Experimental Research in Personality, 1965,1, 99–109.
Lovaas, O. I., & Simmons, J. Q. Manipulation of self-destruction in three retarded children.Journal of Applied Behavior Analysis, 1969,2, 143–157.
Lovibond, S. H. Aversive control of behavior.Behavior Therapy, 1970,1, 80–91.
Maurer, A. Corporal punishment.American Psychologist, 1974,29, 614–626.
Merbaum, M. The modification of self-destructive behavior by a mother-therapist using aversive stimulation.Behavior Therapy, 1973,4, 442–447.
Nordquist, V. M. The modification of a child's enuresis: Some response-response relationships.Journal of Applied Behavior Analysis, 1971,4, 241–247.
Risley, T. The effects and side effects of punishing the autistic behaviors of a deviant child.Journal of Applied Behavior Analysis, 1968,1, 21–34.
Simmons, J. Q., & Lovaas, O. I. Use of pain and punishment as treatment techniques with childhood schizophrenics.American Journal of Psychotherapy, 1969,23, 23–36.
Skinner, B. F.Science and human behavior. New York: The Free Press, 1953.
Smolev, S. R. Use of operant techniques for the modification of self-injurious behavior.American Journal of Mental Deficiency, 1971,76, 295–305.
Solomon, R. L. Punishment.American Psychologist, 1964,19, 239–253.
Tanner, B. A. Aversive shock issues: Physical danger, emotional harm, effectiveness, and “dehumanization.”Journal of Behavior Therapy and Experimental Psychiatry, 1973,4, 113–115.
Tanner, B. A., & Zeiler, M. Punishment of self-injurious behavior using aromatic ammonia as the aversive stimulus.Journal of Applied Behavior Analysis, 1975,8, 53–57.
Tate, B. G., & Baroff, G. S. Aversive control of self-injurious behavior in a psychotic boy.Behaviour Research and Therapy, 1966,4, 281–287.
Wahler, R. G. Some structural aspects of deviant child behavior.Journal of Applied Behavior Analysis, 1975,8, 27–42.
Wahler, R. G., Sperling, K. A., Thomas, M. R., Teeter, N. C., & Luper, H. L. The modification of childhood stuttering: Some response-response relationships.Journal of Experimental Child Psychology, 1970,9, 411–428.
Willems, E. P. Behavioral technology and behavioral ecology.Journal of Applied Behavior Analysis, 1974,7, 151–165.
Yates, A.J. Frustration and conflict New York: Wiley, 1962.
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Additional information
The authors wish to thank Janis Costello, Ph.D. and Robert L. Koegel, Ph.D. for their helpful comments on an earlier draft.
Rights and permissions
About this article
Cite this article
Lichstein, K.L., Schreibman, L. Employing electric shock with autistic children. J Autism Dev Disord 6, 163–173 (1976). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF01538060
Issue Date:
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF01538060