Addiction (Evaluation) Flashcards
Role Of Dopamine + Addiction Genes (Biological)
Research Support:
-Increased dopamine in gamblers whether win or not + reduced D2 receptors in cocaine rats (tolerance)
-Sweden adoption study (bio kids = more likely addicted)
Both determinism (Strength):
-Addiction seen as illness, remove stigma + more recovery of addicts
-Counter = may make addicts feel helpless + feel can’t change behaviour if determined to be addicted
Reductionist:
-Don’t consider env
*explain basis of bio explanations
-Counter = focus on particular area, addiction treatments dev faster
Eysenck + Cognitive Biases (Individual Differences)
Research Support:
-Prisoners high neuroticism + psychoticism on EPQ
However, all suffered childhood trauma so is it due to that, not personality?
-Higher cog biases e.g. gamblers fallacy in problem than social gamblers
However, done on questionnaire so self report, reliable?
Good Social Implications:
-Educate people on personality type using EPQ, despite little scope for treatment = Early intervention if at risk
-Cog biases used in CBT during cog restructuring as therapist challenge false beliefs = more addicts in recovery
Role of Media + Peer Influence (Social Psychological)
Research Support:
-2000+ teenagers prospective study = 40% tried alcohol due to social media when had no intentions 12 months prior
However, correlational research, but prospective + large sample
-90% adult smokers say they started because friends did = support peer influence
Role Of Media Lacks Ecological Validity:
-Studies done on young adults, can it be generalised to adults as may not be as influenced
-Counter = TV stop showing cigs, adults buy less, suggesting are easily influenced
Peer Influence fails to explain some addictions:
-Some addictions kept secret e.g. gambling = Vi Reinforcement + norms play smaller part
