B2 Flashcards
what is initiation for smoking (biological approach)?
A person may start smoking due to biological factors relating to nicotine
Genetic predisposition: genes may be a risk factor for nicotine addiction.
Dopamine receptors: neurons in the VTA have receptors on the surface which respond to dopamine molecules ( smoker takes a cigarette → nicotine reaches the dopamine receptors in the VTA → triggers release of dopamine in the NA → feelings of pleasure ‘the buzz’)
what is Maintenance and relapse for smoking (bio approach)?
Role of dopamine —> they continue smoking because the feelings of pleasure positively reinforce them.
Withdrawal symptoms + Nicotine regulation —> withdrawal symptoms include: headaches, anxiety, cravings, sore throat. Avoiding these symptoms are the main reason why smokers continue to smoke.
Tolerance —> over time smokers will need to smoke more to restimulate that ‘buzz’ they used to get.
what is a strength for smoking (bio approach)?
Schachter (1977) - gave smokers lower-than-usual amounts of nicotine.
Heavy smokers increased their smoking by 25% to make up for the nicotine deficit.
what is another strength for smoking (bio approach)?
Vink et al (2005) - wanted to see if genetic risk factors contribute separately to smoking initiation and nicotine dependence. 44% of the variation between individuals was explained by genetic factors (56% by environmental). For nicotine dependence, 75% of the variation between individuals was explained by genetic factors (25% by environmental).
Findings: genetic factors make a substantial contribution to both initiation of smoking and ongoing nicotine dependence. The genetic factors contribute to the two behaviours are not independent of each other.
what is a weakness for smoking (bio approach)?
Shiffman (1995) - suggested that some people smoke for non bio reasons. I.e. ‘chippers’ smoked 5 cigarettes a day and showed no withdrawal symptoms
what is initiation for smoking (leaning approach)?
Modelling: Behaviour being demonstrated to another
Learning through observation: observer pays attention to the model’s behaviour. They then retain this info before imitating.
Imitation: The observer is more likely to imitate a model they identify with OR admire.
Vicarious reinforcement: Observing the consequences of the model’s behaviour.
Positive reinforcement: A positive outcome that increases the likelihood of a behaviour being repeated.
what is maintenance for smoking (learning approach)?
Negative reinforcement: This is where you do something to TAKE AWAY something unpleasant
Classical conditioning: the smoker learns to associate smoking with the pleasure they get from it they learn to associate the smell, feel, taste of a cigarette with those pleasure feelings. Eventually causing the individual to associate the smell of a cigarette with the cravings of having a cigarette.
what is relapse for smoking (learning approach)?
Primary reinforcers: Dopamine from actually smoking
Conditioned Cues (secondary): Other things associated with smoking that might trigger cravings
Self efficacy: talks about a person’s confidence in their ability to stop smoking
what are two strengths of smoking (learning approach)?
Research support (for conditioned cues): Carter & Tiffany found increased physiological reactions (from smokers) in response to pictures of ashtrays, packets etc.
Practical applications - 52% of smokers still smoke free a year later after aversion therapy.
what is a weakness of smoking (learning approach)?
Limited explanations - many adolescents who observe models smoking don’t take up smoking.
Self efficacy is only one factor in being able to quitting and relapse
what is initiation for alcohol (cognitive approach)?
Self- medication: this can be explained by early experiences of trauma. Someone may turn to substances to relieve their symptoms
Specific effects: people choose the specific substance that they want to self medicate with depending on the effects of this. Alcohol is a relaxant (and is also readily available) so might soothe anxiety
what is maintenance for alcohol (cognitive approach)?
Low self esteem - a lack of skills to cope
Self-regulation i.e. making you more sociable
Stress relief
what is relapse for alcohol (cognitive approach)?
Counterproductive - self medication creates a rebound effect.
Trying to solve the problem - A perpetual cycle of distress, use and relapse.
Increase of stress levels - withdrawal symptoms.
what are two strength for alcohol (cognitive approach)?
Supporting evidence - Felitti (1998) link found between adverse childhood experiences (ACEs) and addiction.
Lazareck (2012) - self medication is risk factor for addiction, i.e. those who used alcohol for mood disorders such as depression These people were 7x more likely to become addicted.
what are two weaknesses for alcohol (cognitive approach)?
Argument that people don’t use specific drugs to meet their symptoms - simply whatever their peers use.
Lack of cause and effect - mental disorder doesn’t always lead to addiction.
