ADDICTION: Bio - Addiction Genes A03

Question 1

Addiction Genes :)

Answer 1

Explains why some are more likely to become addicted than others

Maintenance of Addiction - Kendler & Prescott

Question 2

Addiction Genes :(

Answer 2

Reductionist - Ojelade et al.

Methodological Issues - S/R & Low Validity

Question 3

Addiction Genes :) Why some are more likely to become addicted than others

Answer 3

Can reduce the amount of blame placed on addicts with the reason being biological, they cannot control their addiction
:) - important when individual is battling to overcome addiction
:( - If ind sees their behaviour as an unstoppable consequence of their genetic make-up they may be less likely to take responsibility for their own recovery

Question 4

Addiction Genes :) Kendler & Prescott

Answer 4

interviewed nearly 2000 twins & found that
- Environmental & social factors influenced whether a person would initiate cocaine use
- Genetic factors determined whether the person became addicted

→ Genetics influence maintenance but cannot explain initiation

Question 5

Addiction Genes :( - Reductionist

Answer 5

The range of different genes found relating to addiction means that it cannot be suggested that there is a single ‘addiction gene’
- Different types of addictive behaviours may be triggered by different genetic mechanisms
- Substance abuse / gambling

Ojelade et al. - Rsu1 gene, when not functioning properly, lowered fruit fly’s sensitivity to alcohol

• Found a relationship between the gene and alcohol dependence in humans

Question 6

Addictive Genes :( Methodological Issues

Answer 6

Self-report: Addicts may be reluctant to be honest (addiction is often embarrassing & can negatively affect a person’s life)
- Addicts may not accurately recall what they do / have done or feel / have felt

Low Validity: Due to ethical consideration, researchers cannot ask individuals to engage in addictive behaviours to measure its effects
- Overcome by using animal studies
- Creates issues of generalisability