6.3.3

Question 1

Biological Treatments for ICDs

Answer 1

Biological treatments for ICDs include SSRIs, mood stabilizers, topiramate for kleptomania, and opioid antagonists.

Question 2

Opioid Antagonists and ICDs

Answer 2

Opioid antagonists block opioid receptors, reduce euphoria, and may help extinguish compulsive behaviors by preventing dopamine release.

Question 3

Grant et al. (2008) Study Aim

Answer 3

The aim of Grant et al. (2008) was to investigate the effectiveness of opiate antagonists as a treatment for gambling disorder.

Question 4

Grant et al. (2008) Hypothesis

Answer 4

The hypothesis was that opiate antagonists would be more effective in reducing gambling disorder in those with a family history of alcoholism and stronger urges to gamble.

Question 5

Grant et al. (2008) Research Method

Answer 5

Grant et al. (2008) used a randomized controlled trial with independent measures and a double-blind design.

Question 6

Grant et al. (2008) Variables

Answer 6

The independent variable was random allocation to nalmefene, naltrexone, or placebo. The dependent variable was the difference in Y-BOCS scores post-treatment.

Question 7

Grant et al. (2008) Sample

Answer 7

The sample consisted of 284 pathological gamblers who were outpatients from 15 psychiatric centers, all having gambled in the last two weeks.

Question 8

Grant et al. (2008) Results

Answer 8

Positive treatment outcomes were associated with a family history of alcoholism, stronger baseline urges, and older age, which reduced the placebo effect.

Question 9

Grant et al. (2008) Conclusion

Answer 9

The study concluded that opiate antagonists were most effective for gamblers with a family history of alcoholism and strong urges.

Question 10

Grant et al. (2008) Validity

Answer 10

The validity of the study was supported by the double-blind design, ensuring that researchers did not know which treatment group participants were in.

Question 11

Grant et al. (2008) Self-Report Issue

Answer 11

Participants’ self-report of family history of alcoholism might not always be accurate, which could affect the study’s findings.

Question 12

Grant et al. (2008) Generalisability

Answer 12

The nalmefene group was diverse in age and ethnicity, making the results potentially generalizable to a broader population.

Question 13

Grant et al. (2008) Follow-up Limitations

Answer 13

The study did not have a follow-up period, so long-term efficacy of opiate antagonists for gambling disorder remains unclear.

Question 14

Covert Sensitization for ICDs

Answer 14

Covert sensitization is a psychological therapy using classical conditioning to create unpleasant associations with the target behavior, such as stealing.

Question 15

Glover (1985) Covert Sensitization Case Study

Answer 15

Glover (1985) used covert sensitization to treat a woman with long-term kleptomania. The treatment involved visualizing disturbing images to create negative feelings toward stealing.

Question 16

Glover (1985) Results

Answer 16

In Glover (1985), the woman reported reduced urges to steal, and after 19 months, there were no further relapses.

Question 17

Kohn and Antonuccio (2002) Covert Sensitization

Answer 17

Kohn and Antonuccio (2002) successfully treated a man with lifelong kleptomania using covert sensitization, showing its potential effectiveness.

Question 18

Covert Sensitization Limitations

Answer 18

The generalization of covert sensitization findings is limited as Glover’s case study focused on one woman, and cultural differences were not explored.

Question 19

Imaginal Desensitization Therapy

Answer 19

Imaginal desensitization is a therapy involving progressive muscle relaxation and guided imagery to help clients reduce compulsive behaviors by confronting tension triggers.

Question 20

Blaszczynski and Nower (2003) Imaginal Desensitization

Answer 20

Blaszczynski and Nower (2003) developed guidelines for therapists to conduct imaginal desensitization, using detailed case studies like Mary’s to tailor treatments.

Question 21

Mary’s Case Study in Imaginal Desensitization

Answer 21

Mary, a woman with gambling disorder, was treated with imaginal desensitization where her therapist created a personalized script based on her stressors.

Question 22

Imaginal Desensitization and Long-Term Relief

Answer 22

80% of people with gambling disorder found long-term relief after six sessions of imaginal desensitization according to Grant et al. (2011).

Question 23

Imaginal Desensitization Practicality

Answer 23

Imaginal desensitization is practical, requiring only 2-3 sessions, making it quicker and cheaper than therapies like covert sensitization.

Question 24

Limitations of Imaginal Desensitization

Answer 24

Imaginal desensitization might be ineffective for individuals who are poorly motivated, disorganized, or unable to relax during the process.

Question 25

Drug Treatments for ICDs Side Effects

Answer 25

Opiate antagonists for ICDs can cause side effects such as nausea, vomiting, stomach pain, hypertension, and fever.

Question 26

Covert Sensitization vs. Drug Treatments

Answer 26

Compared to drug treatments, covert sensitization may have a higher compliance rate since it does not involve the unpleasant side effects of medication.

Question 27

Subjectivity in Covert Sensitization

Answer 27

Longitudinal studies like Glover (1985) may introduce researcher bias as relationships formed during therapy might lead to overestimating improvement.

Question 28

Imaginal Desensitization and Individual Differences

Answer 28

Imaginal desensitization may not work for those who cannot create vivid mental images, such as people with aphantasia.

Question 29

Opiate Antagonists in Gambling Disorder

Answer 29

Opiate antagonists have been shown to be most effective in treating gambling disorder in individuals with strong urges and a family history of alcoholism.

Question 30

Commitment to Drug Treatments vs. Therapy

Answer 30

Drug treatments require less effort from patients compared to imaginal desensitization, which requires daily practice and commitment.

Question 31

Reductionism in Biological Treatments

Answer 31

Using opiate antagonists to treat ICDs is a reductionist approach that overlooks the sociocultural and psychological factors influencing behavior.

Question 32

Holistic Approach in Grant et al. (2008)

Answer 32

Grant et al. (2008) took a more holistic approach, considering factors like family history and baseline urges in determining the effectiveness of opiate antagonists.

Question 33

Idiographic vs. Nomothetic in Treatment Research

Answer 33

Grant et al. (2008) followed a nomothetic approach, allowing for generalizations about opiate antagonists' effectiveness. Glover (1985), however, took an idiographic approach focusing on one individual's experience.

Question 34

Reductionism in Drug Treatments for ICDs

Answer 34

Biological treatments like opiate antagonists reduce the complexity of ICDs by focusing solely on neurochemistry, ignoring social and environmental factors.

Question 35

Nomothetic Approach in Drug Treatment Studies

Answer 35

Grant et al. (2008) used a nomothetic approach, providing generalizable findings that can guide treatment strategies for gambling disorder.

Question 36

Idiographic Approach in Covert Sensitization

Answer 36

Glover (1985) utilized an idiographic approach, which provided in-depth insights into the therapy's impact on one woman’s personal experience with kleptomania.

Question 37

Evaluation of Psychological Treatments for ICDs

Answer 37

Covert sensitization and imaginal desensitization offer promising psychological treatments but have limitations, such as subjectivity and individual differences in effectiveness.

Question 38

Practical Benefits of Imaginal Desensitization

Answer 38

Imaginal desensitization is practical, requiring only 2-3 sessions, which makes it a cheaper and quicker alternative to other therapeutic approaches.

Question 39

Limitations of Longitudinal Research in Therapy Studies

Answer 39

Longitudinal studies, like Glover (1985), may suffer from researcher bias and issues with generalization due to a focus on individual cases.

Question 40

Generalization of Covert Sensitization Results

Answer 40

Covert sensitization studies may not be generalizable as they often focus on single cases, such as Glover (1985), limiting their applicability to larger populations.

Question 41

Drug Treatment Efficacy in Younger vs. Older Patients

Answer 41

Grant et al. (2008) found that younger participants showed a greater placebo effect, which may have influenced the results regarding the efficacy of opiate antagonists.