The paradigm of covert conditioning was developed by Joseph R. Cautela in 1966, and is encompassed within behavioral therapies. In this type of conditioning, stimuli are presented in the imagination.

In this article we will learn about the triad of self-control, a technique of covert behaviour modification also developed by J.R. Cautela, used mainly in addictive, sexual and impulse control disorders, and which tries to reduce unwanted behaviour.

Self-control triad: what is it?

The triad of self-control is a technique derived from self-control, by Joseph R. Cautela . Its aim is to decrease the probability of the occurrence of an undesired response or behaviour by using the stimuli through imagination. Let us remember that a behavior can also be a thought (in this case, unwanted).

The techniques of self-control are intended to enable us to acquire and exercise the ability to exercise control over ourselves, and imply that we learn to control our behaviour in all its aspects (i.e. our thoughts, acts, emotions, etc.).

The self-control triad of Cautela aims to alter the frequency of a response through the manipulation of its consequences ; with this technique, the antecedent stimuli, the behaviour itself and the consequent stimuli (consequences), are presented to the person in an imaginary way, that is, in imagination (the person must imagine everything in detail).

Covert Conditioning

The self-control triad belongs to the paradigm called covert conditioning (in imagination), which was also developed by Cautela, in 1996.

Covert conditioning is a type of procedure that includes a series of passes:

  • Educational phase.
  • Training phase.
  • Application phase.
  • Consolidation and generalization phase.

Steps

For its part, Cautela’s self-control triad is developed in three steps:

1. First step

The patient, when he is about to perform the unwanted behaviour (or when he simply thinks about such behaviour, or an unwanted thought appears to him), says out loud: “Enough!”, and stops the unexpressed thought.

In other words, this step can include the stopping of thought, which is another technique of covert conditioning, also characteristic of Caution.

2. Second step

After saying “Enough”, the second step involves the patient taking a deep, relaxing breath , and thus relaxing.

3. Third step

The third and final step of the self-control triad consists of mentally visualizing a pleasant image or scene .

Origin of covert conditioning

As we have seen, it was Joseph R. Cautela who initiated the studies of covert conditioning. In 1966, Cautela described and used the so-called technique of concealed sensitization, from which an imagined aversive consequence (for example, a sensation of nausea) was applied , contingent on an unadapted or undesired behaviour, which was intended to be eliminated .

Prior to Cautela, as a background for covert conditioning, we find two other authors: Wolpe (1958), who used Systematic Desensitization (DS) and Homme (1965), who carried out an experimental control of symbolic behaviors.

Applications of the technique

The self-control triad of Caution applies to thoughts or behaviors that we want to reduce and/or eliminate.

These thoughts or behaviors may appear in some disorders such as addictive disorders (such as gambling or drug addictions), impulse control disorders, some sexual disorders such as paraphilias, etc. In other words, psychological disorders in which control is lost in the performance of certain actions , in a persistent manner.

Another similar technique: thought stopping

The technique of stopping thought, also by Cautela, is similar to the triad of self-control, although not the same.

This technique focuses, as its name suggests, on thought control. It can be put into practice when we feel nervous or altered by some kind of thought (or several); to apply it, we should focus on them and identify those that have negative connotations. At that moment, we will say to ourselves (subvocally): “Enough! Then, we will replace those thoughts with other more positive ones.

In order for thought stopping to be effective, a lot of practice and constancy will be needed, so that we can identify our negative thoughts well, as well as reverse them and turn them into positive ones.

Bibliographic references:

  • Cautela, J. (1977). Undercover Conditioning. Editorial Descleee DeBrouwer, SA Bilbao, 11-20.
  • Cautela, J. (1984). The self-control triad: A procedure for covert conditioning Advances in Latin American Clinical Psychology, 3, 17-33.
  • López, A., Sueiro, E. and Nóvoa, M.I. (2009). Changes in sexual fantasies. Preliminary study. Actas do X Congresso Internacional Galego-Português de Psicopedagogia. Braga: Universidade do Minho, 2777-2788.
  • Vallejo, M. (2012). Manual of Behavioral Therapy. Volume I. Madrid: Dykinson (Issues 6-12).