Increasing heterosexual arousal in two adult male homosexuals using a differential reinforcement procedure

This article was identified by the Behavior Therapy Task Force on Sexual Orientation and Gender Identity/Expression Change Efforts (SOGIECEs) as testing discredited practices that are associated with harms, and that are inconsistent with more recent standards for working with sexual and gender minority (e.g., LGBTQ+) individuals. For more details, and for more recent information on ethical practices and LGBTQ-affirmative care, consult the link above. This paper describes the use of a differential reinforcement procedure in the modification of sexual orientation in two adult males. Penile enlargement to transparencies of naked females was reinforced, but was punished in the presence of slides of nude men. Both subjects displayed increased penile circumference to the heterosexual stimuli and decreased responding to the homosexual pictures. The subjects reported greater heterosexual interest following treatment.