Addiction: Explanations of nicotine addiction -Learning Theory TW Flashcards
Which behaviourist principle can be used to explain smoking addiction?
Operant conditioning
Operant conditioning is learning through…
Consequence (rewards and punishments)
Learning through rewards and punishments is known as…
Operant conditioning
Which type of reinforcement explains how an individual FORMS an addiction?
Positive reinforcement
Positive reinforcement explains how smoking addiction is ____________ .
Formed
What is an individual rewarded with when they inhale nicotine?
Euphoria
WHY does nicotine reward an individual with euphoria?
Impact on the dopamine system
Nicotines impact on the dopamine system provides the individual with feelings of…
Euphoria
According to positive reinforcement, why will an individual smoke again?
To receive the same reward of euphoria
What reward are individuals looking to receive from smoking according to positive reinforcement?
Euphoria / pleasure
Which type of reinforcement explains why we maintain a smoking addiction?
Negative reinforcement
Negative reinforcement explains how we ________ a smoking addiction
Maintain
What is negative reinforcement?
Performing a behaviour to AVOID negative consequences
What is the difference between negative reinforcement and punishment according to operant conditioning?
Negative reinforcement is an individual repeatedly performing a behaviour to AVOID a negative consequence (increasing the frequency of the behaviour)
WHEREAS
Punishment is where an individual receives the negative consequence which STOPS the behaviour (decreasing it’s frequency)
What is the negative consequence nicotine addicts wish to avoid?
Withdrawal
What are some symptoms of nicotine withdrawal?
Disturbed sleep, agitation, poor concentration
What behaviour is repeated by a nicotine addict to AVOID the negative consequence of withdrawal?
Smoking (inhaling nicotine)
How could classical conditioning explain nicotine addiction?
Addict ASSOCIATES nicotine with pleasure
Classical conditioning is learning through…
Stimulus, response and ASSOCIATIONS
What is meant by a primary reinforcer?
A stimuli that is DIRECTLY rewarding
What is meant by a secondary reinforcer?
A stimuli that has become rewarding because of an ASSOCIATION (is indirectly rewarding)
According to learning theory, what type of reinforcer is smoking?
A primary reinforcer
Why is smoking a primary reinforcer?
As it DIRECTLY affects the brains REWARD pathways - providing pleasure
True or False: Primary reinforcers are learnt
False: Primary reinforcers are NOT learnt - they provide natural POSITIVE responses/reactions to a stimuli
True or False: Secondary reinforcers are learnt
True: Secondary reinforcers ARE learnt, as they are stimuli which have been ASSOCIATED with primary reinforcers
How are secondary reinforcers developed?
By being REPEATEDLY present at the same time as a primary reinforcer
How are secondary reinforcers developed in nicotine addictions?
By being REPEATEDLY present at the same time as nicotine is inhaled
In the context of nicotine addiction, what can secondary reinforcers also act as?
Cues
In the context of nicotine addiction, what is the effect of cues?
Psychological (craving) and physiological (heart rate) reaction
What is meant by cue reactivity?
Where an individual has a psychological and physiological reaction to a secondary reinforcer
What is the consequence of an individual having a ‘cue reaction’?
They want to smoke (seek primary reinforcement)
What are some examples of potential ‘cues’ in nicotine addiction?
Seeing a lighter, certain friends, places etc
AO3: What research is there to support the concept of cue reactivity?
Carter & Tiffany (1999)
AO3: What did Carter & Tiffany do to research cue-reactivity?
Conducted a meta-analysis of 41 studies into cue-reactivity, presenting smokers and non-smokers with smoking related cues
AO3: What did Carter & Tiffany find in regards to cue-reactivity?
Smokers reported higher levels of desire in response to smoking related cues and showed higher heart rates
AO3: What type of determinism is learning theory’s explanation of nicotine addiction?
Environmental
AO3: What does learning theory suggest an individual is controlled by?
Reinforcements and associations
AO3: What practical applications have been developed as a result of learning theory’s explanation of nicotine addiction?
Aversion therapy and covert sensitisation
AO3: What research is there to support learning theory of nicotine addiction?
Levin et al
AO3: What does learning theory neglect the role of in nicotine addiction?
The role of free will
