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A Level Psychology > Addiction Theories > Flashcards

Addiction Theories Flashcards

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1
Q

What is addiction-Physical Dependence

A

Physical dependence to a drug occurs when the addict experiences withdrawal symptoms when they abstain from it

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2
Q

What is addiction-Psychological Dependence

A

This occurs when the addict has a compulsion to take the drug, which is followed by a reward (feeling good). This leads to them continuing to take the drug to experience these feelings

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3
Q

What is addiction-Tolerance

A

Due to the related exposure to the drug, the addict needs to take more to experience the same effects as before

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4
Q

What is addiction-Withdrawal Symptoms

A

These symptoms occur when the addict, who is physically dependent to the drug, abstains from taking the drug. To avoid these symptoms, is the goal for addicts and the reason why addictions continue. AKA Withdrawal Syndrome

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5
Q

Risk Factors in the development of addiction-Genetic Vulnerability

A

Some people can inherit a vulnerability to developing a drug addiction

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6
Q

Risk Factors in the development of addiction-Genetic Vulnerability-Mechanism

A

There are two plausible direct genetic mechanisms involved in addiction:

  • Dopamine receptors-Low amounts are thought to be involved in addition
  • Metabolize-The enzyme CYP 2A6 is involved in metabolism. Those with this enzyme are at a greater risk of nicotine addiction
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7
Q

Risk Factors in the development of addiction-Genetic Vulnerability-Evaluation

A

+Research Support-Kendler study
+Indirect Effects-Causes some behaviours that lead to an increase in risk for addiction development
-Biologically Reductionist-Ignores other factors except biology

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8
Q

Risk Factors in the development of addiction-Stress

A

Increased risk of developing addiction is linked with periods of chronic long lasting stress and traumatic life events in childhood. These traumatic events have damaging effects on the brain during the sensitive period, which leads to a vulnerability to addiction during adolescence

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9
Q

Risk Factors in the development of addiction-Personality

A

There is no addictive personality. The impulsiveness found is antisocial personality disorder (APD) increases the risk of addiction, as APD and addiction share a common genetic element

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10
Q

Risk Factors in the development of addiction-Family Influences

A

An persons perspective of their family’s views on drugs may increase or decrease the likelihood of them become addicted. If their persons do not care what their child is doing, the child is more likely to start becoming addicted. Also, if the parent themselves are addicts, the child is exposed to the substance, and are more-likely to become addicted

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11
Q

Risk Factors in the development of addiction-Peers

A

Peers are a very important factor for older children and for peers who have not used drugs themselves. The attitudes of the peers are not influential in the development of drug taking. The formation of a group that favours rule breaking is influential, and drug taking comes under this category

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12
Q

Risk Factors in the development of addiction-Peers Elements that influence Peers

A

According to O’Connell, these elements are:

  • The at risk adolescents norms and attitudes are influenced by peers who are addicts
  • The peers provide more experiences for the at risk individual to take the addicted stimuli
  • The individual over estimates how much the peers are using/drinking, which means that they use more to keep up with the perceived norm
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13
Q

Risk Factors in the development of addiction-Evaluation

A

+Interaction between factors- These factors combine together to create the vulnerability of addiction- There is no one main risk factor

  • Cause and Effect-A lot of research is correlation, addiction might be caused by stress, but stress can also be caused by addiction- Not clear on what causes what
  • Proximate and Ultimate Risk Factors-Some of the risk factors may be caused by genetics-not individual things
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14
Q

Explanations for Nicotine Addiction-Brain Neurochemistry-Desensitization Hypothesis

A

Nicotine receptors (nAChR) in the brain are briefly stimulated by nicotine, but then immediately shut down. This stimulates the nucleus accumbens to trigger a release of dopamine, which has pleasurable effects

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15
Q

Explanations for Nicotine Addiction-Brain Neurochemistry-Nicotine Regulation Model

A

Going without nicotine allows the Nicotine receptors (nAChR) to become sensitive again. This creates small withdrawal symptoms in the smoker, many them want to smoke to reduce the symptoms. This can explain why smokers think that their first cigarette of the day is the best

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16
Q

Explanations for Nicotine Addiction-Brain Neurochemistry-Evaluation

A

+Research Support-McEvoy study
+Real Life Applications- Can be used to develop treatments for addiction and other symptoms that have a high co-morbidity with nicotine use eg: Depression
-Limited Explanation-Research shows that there are other neurochemical involved like GABA
-Biologically Reductionist-Ignores psychological and environmental factors

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17
Q

Explanations for Nicotine Addiction-Learning Theory-Operant Conditioning-Positive Reinforcement

A

Nicotine is a powerful reinforce of smoking because of its pleasurable effects on the brain’s dopamine system

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18
Q

Explanations for Nicotine Addiction-Learning Theory-Operant Conditioning-Negative Reinforcement

A

People continue to smoke in order to avoid the unpleasant withdrawal effects of stopping. These negatively reinforce the smoking behaviour

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19
Q

Explanations for Nicotine Addiction-Learning Theory-Classical Conditioning-Cue Reactivity

A

Positive cues (people, places, occasions) become associated with the pleasurable effects of nicotine. These cues become secondary reinforcers of the smoking behaviour

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20
Q

Explanations for Nicotine Addiction-Learning Theory-Evaluation

A

+Support from animal studies-Levin study
+Support for cue reactivity- Carter and Tiffany Study
+Has Real Life Applications-Used in Aversion Therapy
-Limited Explanation- Other causes of smoking behaviour- Why do some adolescence who smoke daily do not experience withdrawal symptoms?

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21
Q

Explanations for Gambling Addiction-Learning Theory-Vicarious Reinforcement

A

Observing other people, and the media, being rewarded for gambling behaviour may trigger the desire for similar reinforcement

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22
Q

Explanations for Gambling Addiction-Learning Theory-Positive and Negative Reinforcement

A

Positive reinforcement is provided by the “buzz” of a casino. Negative reinforcement is provided by gambling providing an escape from the stresses of daily life. Both reinforce the gambling behaviour

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23
Q

Explanations for Gambling Addiction-Learning Theory-Continuous Reinforcement

A

The behaviour quickly stops when the rewards end

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24
Q

Explanations for Gambling Addiction-Learning Theory-Partial Reinforcement

A

Gambling behaviour still occurs even when it is not being rewarded as the gamblers are not sure when the bets will pay off

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25
Q

Explanations for Gambling Addiction-Learning Theory-Partial Reinforcement-Variable Reinforcement

A

A form of partial reinforcement where the rewards are given out in a random order. This means that the gambler is motivated to keep gambling even when the rewards are not there, as the next spin could mean a big win

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26
Q

Explanations for Gambling Addiction-Learning Theory-Cue Reactivity

A

Cues associated with gambling, like the national lottery or a betting shop, act as secondary reinforcers, which can trigger arousal and a craving to gamble

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27
Q

Explanations for Gambling Addiction-Learning Theory-Evaluation

A

+Research Support-Dickerson study
-Lack of explanatory power-Theory cannot explain gambling addiction for games of skill (eg Poker), it can only explain for games of chance(eg Slot Machines)
-Individual Differences-Different levels of motivation to gambler, different responses to stimuli
+Explains why people cannot stop gambling

28
Q

Explanations for Gambling Addiction-Cognitive Theory-Expectancy Bias

A

Gambling addiction becomes more likely when the gamblers expect the benefits of this behaviour to outweigh the costs

29
Q

Explanations for Gambling Addiction-Cognitive Theory-Cognitive Biases

A

Gambling addiction develops and maintains because the addict pays more attention to gambling related information and selectively remembers it

30
Q

Explanations for Gambling Addiction-Cognitive Theory-Cognitive Biases-Skill and Judgement

A

Gamblers have an illusion of control which means that they overestimate their ability to influence a random event

31
Q

Explanations for Gambling Addiction-Cognitive Theory-Cognitive Biases-Personal Traits/Ritual Behaviours

A

Gamblers believe that they have a greater probability of winning because they are lucky or they have engaged in some superstitious behaviour

32
Q

Explanations for Gambling Addiction-Cognitive Theory-Cognitive Biases-Selective Recall

A

Gamblers can remember their wins but they forget or ignore their losses, which are often interpreted as completely unexplainable mysteries

33
Q

Explanations for Gambling Addiction-Cognitive Theory-Cognitive Biases-Faulty Perceptions

A

Gamblers often have distorted views about the idea of chance. They believe that a losing streak cannot last and is always about to be ended with a win. This is known as Gambler’s Fallacy

34
Q

Explanations for Gambling Addiction-Cognitive Theory-Self Efficacy

A

Gamblers experience a relapse as they cannot believe they can stop gambling. This is a self-fulfilling prophecy

35
Q

Explanations for Gambling Addiction-Cognitive Theory-Evaluation

A

+Research Support-Griffiths study, Michalczuk study
+Explains Automatic Behaviour-McCusker and Getting study-Cognitive bias occurs in gamblers, but not non gamblers
-Individual Differences-Motivation is a big factor-Burger and Smith study
-Methodological Issues-Uses self report

36
Q

Reducing Addiction-Drug Therapy-Types of Drugs-Aversives

A

These produce unpleasant consequences that can be associated with the addicted stimuli

37
Q

Reducing Addiction-Drug Therapy-Types of Drugs-Agonists

A

These bind to neuron receptors and activate them, providing a similar effect to the addicted drug

38
Q

Reducing Addiction-Drug Therapy-Types of Drugs-Antagonists

A

These bind to receptor sites and block them so that the addicted drug cannot have its usual effects

39
Q

Reducing Addiction-Drug Therapy-Nicotine Addiction

A

Nicotine replacement therapy (NRT) gives the addict a clean, controlled dose of nicotine which operates in the brain just like cigarette smoking does. Over time, the dosage is reduced, in turn, reducing addiction

40
Q

Reducing Addiction-Drug Therapy-Gambling Addiction

A

There are no current drugs that are used to treat gambling addiction. Opioid antagonists, which are used to treat heroin addiction, can be used to treat gambling addiction. These drugs enhance the release of the neurochemical GABA, which dampen downs the cravings associated with gambling behaviour

41
Q

Reducing Addiction-Drug Therapy-Evaluation

A

+Research Support-Stead research
-Side Effects-Some side effects can cause harm to the users-This leads to less people wanting to use drug therapy
-Limited Treatment-Not effective for everyone, need to be highly motivated and not leading a chaotic lifestyle for it to work
+Removes the stigma of addiction-Might be biologically caused, not psychologically

42
Q

Reducing Addiction-Behavioral Interventions-Aversion Therapy

A

It is a technique based on classical conditioning. According to learning theory, addiction is caused through repeated association between a drug and the feeling of pleasantness. This means that addiction can be reduced when the drug is associated with a unpleasant feeling

43
Q

Reducing Addiction-Behavioral Interventions-Aversion Therapy-Alcoholics

A

A drug is taken which promotes nausea and vomiting The addict then drinks some alcohol, and then experiences the unpleasant consequences. Over time, the addict will learn to associate alcohol with the unpleasant feeling, and therefore cut down or stop drinking alcohol

44
Q

Reducing Addiction-Behavioral Interventions-Aversion Therapy-Gamblers

A

Electric shocks are used instead of drugs. The gambler thinks of gambling related phrases and writes them down. They then read out each phrase, and when a gambling related phrase is said, they are given an electric shock, which the participant chooses the intensity of. This pairing of gambling and shocks should cause gambling behaviour to reduce

45
Q

Reducing Addiction-Behavioral Interventions-Covert Sensitization

A

A type of aversion therapy that occurs in vitro. The individual is instructed to imagine how a shock or the feeling of nausea would feel like, in stead of experiencing them firsthand

46
Q

Reducing Addiction-Behavioral Interventions-Covert Sensitization-Smokers

A

The therapist helps the patient imagine a scene in which they are smoking, and experiencing something bad or unpleasant eg: experiencing shocks. This paring should mean that smoking behaviour should decrease

47
Q

Reducing Addiction-Behavioral Interventions-Evaluation

A

-Methological Problems with studies of aversion therapy-Hajek and Stead study- Found out that many forgot to “blind” the procedures
-Treatment adherence issues-Many people drop out of aversion therapy due to its unpleasant nature
+Support for covert sensitization-McConaghy study
-Ethic issues for aversion therapy-No issues for covert sensitization

48
Q

Reducing Addiction-Cognitive Behaviour Therapy-Functional Analysis

A

The client and therapist gets together and identify the high risk situations the client is likely to engage in their addictive behaviour. This helps the client to identify the triggers or reasons for their addiction, and work out why they have trouble coping with their addiction

49
Q

Reducing Addiction-Cognitive Behaviour Therapy-Skills Training

A

The therapist teaches the client skills to help them avoid cravings

50
Q

Reducing Addiction-Cognitive Behaviour Therapy-Skills Training-Cognitive Restructuring

A

The clients views and attitudes towards the addicted stimuli are challenged by the therapist

51
Q

Reducing Addiction-Cognitive Behaviour Therapy-Skills Training-Specific Skills

A

The client is taught skills to help them cope with their addiction. These skills are specific to them, and could relate to information given to the therapist during the functional analysis

52
Q

Reducing Addiction-Cognitive Behaviour Therapy-Skills Training-Social Skills

A

The client is taught ways to refuse their addicted stimuli with minimum fuss that avoid embarrassment. For example-Making correct eye contact when refusing alcohol

53
Q

Reducing Addiction-Cognitive Behaviour Therapy-Evaluation

A

+Research Support-Petry study
-Short term or Long term gains-Cowlishaw study-No long term gains in CBT
-Lack of Treatment Adherance-Cujipers study-Many give up on CBT
+Sees relapse as a inevitable part of the process-Reduces Stigma

54
Q

Theory of Planned Behaviour-The Theory

A

Created by Ajzen, it attempts to change behaviours over which we can exercise self control. The concept of intention is central to the theory. A person’s attitude, subjective norms and perceived behavioural control form a intention, which can result in a change in behaviour

55
Q

Theory of Planned Behaviour-Personal Attitudes

A

The overall evaluation, formed by collecting the pro’s and cons of the addictive behaviour

56
Q

Theory of Planned Behaviour-Subjective Norms

A

The indidivuals belief of what the people close to them would think if they found out about their addiction. If these are mostly negative, an intention for behaviour change could be created

57
Q

Theory of Planned Behaviour-Perceived Behavioural Control

A

How much control the indiduval thinks that they have over the behaviour. This has two influences on our behaviour:

  • More control=More chance to stop behaviour
  • More control=Longer and harder the addict will try to stop the additive behaviour
58
Q

Theory of Planned Behaviour-Evaluation

A

+Research Support-Hagger study

  • Does not explain addictive behaviour-Does not explain how the behaviour started-Psychologists question if this is a model of behaviour change?
  • Short term vs Long term changes-McEachan study-Mixed evidence for a theory that supports some elements of addictive behaviour, but not others-Not fully valid
59
Q

Prochaska’s Six Stage Model-Assumptions

A

Overcoming addiction occurs in a cyclical process. There may be some lineal order, but addicts normally return to stages and/or skip some stages altogether in the process to stop their addiction

60
Q

Prochaska’s Six Stage Model-The Stages-Precontemplation

A

The addict is not thinking about changing their behavior in the next six months. This is due to either denial of their problem or a lack of motivation to change

61
Q

Prochaska’s Six Stage Model-The Stages-Contemplation

A

The addict is thinking about changing their behaviour in the next six months. They are becoming aware of the benefits of not having an addiction

62
Q

Prochaska’s Six Stage Model-The Stages-Preparation

A

The addict believes that the benefits are greater than the costs, and decide to change their behaviour in the next six months, but have not decided when or how this change will occur

63
Q

Prochaska’s Six Stage Model-The Stages-Action

A

The addict has done something to change their behaviour in the last six months

64
Q

Prochaska’s Six Stage Model-The Stages-Maintained

A

The addict has maintained some change of behaviour in the last six months. This change is slowly becoming a way of life

65
Q

Prochaska’s Six Stage Model-The Stages-Termination

A

The new behaviours have become automatic. The addict is no longer addicted to their addicted stimuli. Their addiction has been terminated

66
Q

Prochaska’s Six Stage Model-Evaluation

A

+Dynamic Nature of Behaviour-Recognises that changing addictive behaviour is a dynamic process that is continuing, where you can move forward, as well as backwards through the steps
-Contradictory Research-Taylor study
-Arbitrary Nature of Stages-Kraft argues that the 6 stages can be reduced to 2-Precontemplation and the other 5 grouped together
+Positive attitude to relapse

A Level Psychology (32 decks)

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