Addiction - risk factors

Question 1

What is a risk factor

Answer 1

Variable associated with increased risk of disease/infection

Question 2

What are the 5 risk factors

Answer 2

Genetic vulnerability, stress, personality, family influences, peers

Question 3

What is genetics as a risk factor

Answer 3

Vulnerability to drug dependence is inherited, and needs reference to specific candidate genes

Question 4

What is an example of genetics as a risk factor

Answer 4

No. of dopamine receptors and enzyme activity responsible for metabolism of addictive processes e.g alcohol

Question 5

Who conducted evidence for genetics as a risk factor

Answer 5

Shields

Question 6

What was Shields’s research into genetics as a risk factor

Answer 6

Adoption study, measured concordance rate between 42 twin pairs reared apart. Only 9 pairs were discordant, so genetics are a factor in smoking

Question 7

What are 3 negative evaluations for genetics as a risk factor

Answer 7

Biological reductionist - unlikely to be whole explanation

Biological determinism - therefore socially insensitive as suggests people are destined to become addicts

No concordance rate of 100% - environment must be a factor