3.1.2 Evaluating Genes & Addiction

Question 1

(for) in what percentage of dead alcoholics was the A1 variant of the DRD2 gene found?

Answer 1

66%

Question 2

(for) in what percentage of dead non alcoholics was the A1 variant of the DRD2 gene found?

Answer 2

20%

Question 3

(for) in what percentage of dead smokers was the A1 variant of the DRD2 gene found?

Answer 3

48.7%

Question 4

(for) in what percentage of dead non smokers was the A1 variant of the DRD2 gene found?

Answer 4

25.9%

Question 5

(for) in what percentage of dead gambling addicts was the A1 variant of the DRD2 gene found?

Answer 5

50.9%

Question 6

(for) in what percentage of dead non gambling addicts was the A1 variant of the DRD2 gene found?

Answer 6

25.9%

Question 7

(for) the research into dead addict and non addicts genes supports what idea?

Answer 7

genes can play a part in the initiation of an addiction

Question 8

(for) what have lower activity variants of ADH genes been associated with an increased risk of? (Higuchi et al)

Answer 8

alcohol dependency in oriental populations

Question 9

(for) what does Higuchi’s research support the idea of?

Answer 9

genes e.g. ADH gene increase the risk of a person developing an alcohol addiction

Question 10

what is a criticism of higuchi et al’s research on oriental populations?

Answer 10

not generalizable only tells us about oriental populations

Question 11

(for) what has research on European populations found the ADH4 genes affect? (Edenberg)

Answer 11

risk of alcoholism

Question 12

(for) Edenberg’s research supports what idea?

Answer 12

there is a link between genes and addiction particularly alcoholism

Question 13

(for) Shan et al’s twin study found what? supporting what?

Answer 13

genetic transmission of gambling in men

genetics and addiction

Question 14

what is a criticism of Shan et al’s twin research on genetic transmission of gambling in men?

Answer 14

only shows evidence for genetic transmission of gambling in men doesn’t tell us anything about women

Question 15

(for) Sheilds found what concordance rate for smoking amongst 42 twin pairs raised apart?

Answer 15

79%

Question 16

(for) shield’s research suggests genes play a role in addiction, why?

Answer 16

even though raised apart the twins went on to develop the same addiction

Question 17

(against) the relationship between genetics and addiction is…..

Answer 17

more complex than may first appear

Question 18

(against) why is the relationship between genetics and addiction more complex? (Ojelade et al’s research)

Answer 18

a number of other genes identified e.g. Rsu 1 linked to alcohol dependance

Question 19

(against) what does research such as Ojelade’s tell us?

Answer 19

it is too simplistic to say there is an addiction gene, different types of addictive behaviours triggered by different mechanisms

Question 20

(against) genetic explanations are criticised for ignoring which other factors?

Answer 20

social and cultural

Question 21

(against) Townsend et al found a negative correlation between which variables?

Answer 21

negative correlation between number of cigarettes smoked and price of cigarettes

Question 22

(against) what does Townsend’s smoking and price research show?

Answer 22

other factors besides genetics play a role in smoking

Question 23

concordance rates for smoking among twins in high school were higher where?

Answer 23

in schools where popular students smoked

Question 24

the concordance rate amongst twins and smoking in schools shows addictions can be influenced by what?

Answer 24

social surroundings