Question

How can we use conversion therapy to change someone's sexual orientation?

We can follow the guidelines provided by Dr. Spitzer.
We cannot change someone's sexual orientation because it is a relatively stable characteristic of a person that cannot be changed. Difficulty: DifficultAPA Standard: 1.1, 1.3, 2.1, 2.2
We can apply the principles of the Yerkes-Dodson law to change the motivation for sexual orientation.
We can use the James-Lange theory to change cognitions and emotions associated with the sexual orientation we wish to change.

Answer 1

Conversion therapy cannot change someone's sexual orientation, as it is a stable characteristic that cannot be altered. The practice is widely discredited for its ineffectiveness and potential harm, and is opposed by professional organizations and LGBT advocacy groups.

Step-by-step explanation:

We cannot use conversion therapy to change someone's sexual orientation. Research has consistently shown that sexual orientation is a stable characteristic of a person that is not amenable to change through therapy or other efforts. Conversion therapy has not only been shown to be ineffective but also potentially harmful, with numerous psychological risks associated with these practices. Understandings of sexual orientation as a continuum, popularized by Alfred Kinsey, challenge the notion of rigid categories and oppose the pathologizing of non-heterosexual orientations, which was common in the past. Today, professional organizations and legislations largely oppose conversion therapy, reflecting the values of freedom and equal opportunity championed by the LGBT community and allies. Attempts to change sexual orientation via conversion therapy are generally opposed by health professionals and the LGBT community due to both the lack of scientific validity and the ethical issues surrounding such practices.