B2. Smoking Biological

Question 1

What is nicotine?

Answer 1

The main addictive chemical in cigarettes

Question 2

What is the role of nicotine?

Answer 2

To stimulate the brain so that adrenaline is released from the adrenal glands, which raises pulse rate and blood pressure.

Question 3

What are 2 side effects of nicotine?

Answer 3

1. Headache
2. Dizziness

Question 4

What gene do some researchers suggest is partly responsible for smoking addiction?

Answer 4

DRD2 gene

Question 5

Is there one gene or several genes that can cause someone to be susceptible to nicotine addiction?

Answer 5

Some researchers suggest that there is not one specific gene, but several genes that can cause a person to be more susceptible to a nicotine addiction.

Question 6

Give an example of one gene that can cause predisposition to smoking addiction?

Answer 6

Genetic vulnerability

Question 7

What did the Vink study (2005) do?

Answer 7

The study looked at the heritability of smoking initiation and nicotine dependence.

Question 8

What was the aim of Vink (2005) study?

Answer 8

To investigate the genetic and environmental factors in smoking initiation and nicotine dependence

Question 9

What was the method involve using in the Vink study?

Answer 9

Twin study

Question 10

What were the findings of Vink 2005?

Answer 10

Nicotine dependence was largely influenced by genetic factors and partly by other factors

Question 11

How is smoking initiated in 2 ways?

Answer 11

1. It boosts mood and reduces irritability.
2. Has a calming and a stimulating effect.

Question 12

How is smoking maintained and in 3 ways?

Answer 12

1. To maintain the effect of dopamine.
2. Due to tolerance (needing higher amount for same effect)
3. Having negative sensations without cigarettes

Question 13

Why do people relapse and smoke?

Answer 13

Due to withdrawal symptoms

Question 14

What are four physical withdrawal symptoms

Answer 14

1. Shaking
2. Headaches
3. Vomiting
4. Sweating

Question 15

What are four psychological withdrawal symptoms?

Answer 15

1. Cravings
2. Anxiety
3. Depression
4. Difficulty concentrating

Question 16

What are two weaknesses of the biological approach explaining behaviour?

Answer 16

1. The biological approach ignores the role of behavioural factors in addiction, which could be seen as reductionist.
2. In the Vink study, genetics wasn’t the only factor that caused addiction.

Question 17

What are two strengths of the biological approach explaining behaviour?

Answer 17

1. It focuses on changes in brain Neurochemistry, which is objective and a scientific explanation of addiction.
2. A biological explanation of smoking addiction is genetics, which is also an objective and testable explanation of addiction.