alcohol and the learning approach

Question 1

positive reinforcement (initiation)

Answer 1

• alcohol activates the dopamine reward system quickly which creates a sense of pleasure
• indirect effects are related to parental and peer role models

Question 2

negative reinforcement (initiation)

Answer 2

• avoidance of stress is a desirable consequence of drinking, which negatively reinforces the behaviour
• escape from reality

Question 3

positive reinforcement (maintenance)

Answer 3

• drinking alcohol provides ongoing rewards which makes drinking likely to be repeated

Question 4

negative reinforcement (maintenance)

Answer 4

• drinking is maintained overtime to avoid or reduce withdrawal symptoms
• relief from withdrawal symptoms: strengthens drinking behaviour

Question 5

negative reinforcement (relapse)

Answer 5

• learning processes that initiate and maintain drinking can also cause relapse when a drinker has stopped

Question 6

strength

Answer 6

• evidence to support negative reinforcement as an explanation of relapse
• george koob (2009): drinking again to relieve the symptoms of withdrawal may be controlled by the amygdala
• suggests that the negative reinforcement responsible for maintenance and relapse has a biological reality in the brain

Question 7

weakness

Answer 7

• operant conditioning cannot explain the transition from use to abuse of alcohol
• suggests that other non-conditioning factors are crucial in alcohol addiction