Ludovico’s Technique: The Literary Depiction of Aversion Therapy in ‘A Clockwork Orange’
Introduction Anthony Burgess’ novel ‘Clockwork Orange’ identifies the topical debates surrounding the use of aversion therapy (or aversive conditioning) as an effective treatment for addictive behaviours. Widely popularised in literature as ‘Ludovico’s Technique’, Burgess attempts to credit the mis...
| Main Authors: | , , , , , |
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
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Cambridge University Press
2022-06-01
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| Series: | European Psychiatry |
| Subjects: | |
| Online Access: | https://www.cambridge.org/core/product/identifier/S0924933822022829/type/journal_article |
| _version_ | 1797617401902137344 |
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| author | J. Wellington A. Wellington M. Abbasy M. Bhagia D. Myles V. Bhure |
| author_facet | J. Wellington A. Wellington M. Abbasy M. Bhagia D. Myles V. Bhure |
| author_sort | J. Wellington |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description |
Introduction
Anthony Burgess’ novel ‘Clockwork Orange’ identifies the topical debates surrounding the use of aversion therapy (or aversive conditioning) as an effective treatment for addictive behaviours. Widely popularised in literature as ‘Ludovico’s Technique’, Burgess attempts to credit the misunderstanding and dramatization of its effects when the main protagonist is released from a prison sentence after undergoing this treatment.
Objectives
We aimed to highlight the depictions of aversion therapy in modern popular literature.
Methods
A narrative review of the current literature concerning aversion therapy and Anthony Burgess’s novel ‘A Clockwork Orange’ was conducted. Emphasis on the misinterpretation of aversive therapies was noted.
Results
Since the introduction of pharmacological alternatives and additional forms of psychological therapies, there has been a decline in the use of aversion therapy in recent decades. However, it is still effective when conceding the conditioning process. Likewise, its predecessor’ visual imagery’ is believed to be a more acceptable and effective form.
Conclusions
The depiction of aversion therapy in literature and media has played a role in shaping societal views on aversive conditioning techniques and the degree to which they are deemed acceptable forms of treatment. The “Ludovico Technique” featured in the novel ‘A Clockwork Orange’ and its film adaptation is arguably the most salient depiction of aversion therapy in popular culture.
Disclosure
No significant relationships.
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| first_indexed | 2024-03-11T07:54:19Z |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj.art-30cedfeba6264025a870afe5b64acd15 |
| institution | Directory Open Access Journal |
| issn | 0924-9338 1778-3585 |
| language | English |
| last_indexed | 2024-03-11T07:54:19Z |
| publishDate | 2022-06-01 |
| publisher | Cambridge University Press |
| record_format | Article |
| series | European Psychiatry |
| spelling | doaj.art-30cedfeba6264025a870afe5b64acd152023-11-17T05:05:57ZengCambridge University PressEuropean Psychiatry0924-93381778-35852022-06-0165S879S88010.1192/j.eurpsy.2022.2282Ludovico’s Technique: The Literary Depiction of Aversion Therapy in ‘A Clockwork Orange’J. Wellington0A. Wellington1M. Abbasy2M. Bhagia3D. Myles4V. Bhure5Cardiff University, School Of Medicine, Barry, United KingdomCardiff University, Department Of Biosciences, Barry, United KingdomRush University Medical Centre, Medical Centre, Chicago, United States of AmericaNanavati Max Superspeciality Hospital, Medicine, Mumbai, IndiaMedical University of the Americas, Psychiatry, Kentville, CanadaDatta Meghe Institute of Medical Sciences, Institute Of Medical Sciences, Bhandara, India Introduction Anthony Burgess’ novel ‘Clockwork Orange’ identifies the topical debates surrounding the use of aversion therapy (or aversive conditioning) as an effective treatment for addictive behaviours. Widely popularised in literature as ‘Ludovico’s Technique’, Burgess attempts to credit the misunderstanding and dramatization of its effects when the main protagonist is released from a prison sentence after undergoing this treatment. Objectives We aimed to highlight the depictions of aversion therapy in modern popular literature. Methods A narrative review of the current literature concerning aversion therapy and Anthony Burgess’s novel ‘A Clockwork Orange’ was conducted. Emphasis on the misinterpretation of aversive therapies was noted. Results Since the introduction of pharmacological alternatives and additional forms of psychological therapies, there has been a decline in the use of aversion therapy in recent decades. However, it is still effective when conceding the conditioning process. Likewise, its predecessor’ visual imagery’ is believed to be a more acceptable and effective form. Conclusions The depiction of aversion therapy in literature and media has played a role in shaping societal views on aversive conditioning techniques and the degree to which they are deemed acceptable forms of treatment. The “Ludovico Technique” featured in the novel ‘A Clockwork Orange’ and its film adaptation is arguably the most salient depiction of aversion therapy in popular culture. Disclosure No significant relationships. https://www.cambridge.org/core/product/identifier/S0924933822022829/type/journal_articleaversive conditioningludovico’s techniquePsychiatry in literatureAversion therapy |
| spellingShingle | J. Wellington A. Wellington M. Abbasy M. Bhagia D. Myles V. Bhure Ludovico’s Technique: The Literary Depiction of Aversion Therapy in ‘A Clockwork Orange’ European Psychiatry aversive conditioning ludovico’s technique Psychiatry in literature Aversion therapy |
| title | Ludovico’s Technique: The Literary Depiction of Aversion Therapy in ‘A Clockwork Orange’ |
| title_full | Ludovico’s Technique: The Literary Depiction of Aversion Therapy in ‘A Clockwork Orange’ |
| title_fullStr | Ludovico’s Technique: The Literary Depiction of Aversion Therapy in ‘A Clockwork Orange’ |
| title_full_unstemmed | Ludovico’s Technique: The Literary Depiction of Aversion Therapy in ‘A Clockwork Orange’ |
| title_short | Ludovico’s Technique: The Literary Depiction of Aversion Therapy in ‘A Clockwork Orange’ |
| title_sort | ludovico s technique the literary depiction of aversion therapy in a clockwork orange |
| topic | aversive conditioning ludovico’s technique Psychiatry in literature Aversion therapy |
| url | https://www.cambridge.org/core/product/identifier/S0924933822022829/type/journal_article |
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