Biological Addiction

Question 1

What did Lerman find?

Answer 1

link between smoking and genes involving dopamine regulation.

SLC6A3-9

Question 2

Describe Comings’ research.

Answer 2

research into cannabis, cocaine, heroine addiction.

link to genes in a different brain system.

Question 3

Describe Merikangas’ research (genes).

Answer 3

36% of relatives of alcoholics later diagnosed with the illness.

Question 4

Outline Heath’s adoption research.

Answer 4

Adopted individuals with alcoholic biological parents were also alcoholics later.

Good genetic evidence - environmental factors cannot be blamed.

Question 5

Outline the physical dependency theory.

Answer 5

people become addicted because doing without the item/behaviour is so unpleasant (e.g. withdrawal).

tolerance –> dependence.

Question 6

Outline the role of biochemicals in addiction.

Answer 6

Mood regulation, emotion, motivation, reward processes.

addictive substances produce dopamine - people want to constantly experience the good mood - can lead to addiction.

Question 7

Describe Altman’s research.

Answer 7

alcohol and nicotine affect the nervous system by increasing dopamine levels.

People more susceptible to addiction have inherited a more sensitive dopamine pathway.

Question 8

Evaluate the biological model.

Answer 8

deterministic - genes determine you addiction. does not consider free will. unfair - does not give the individual the opportunity to change/choose not to be addicted.

reductionist - explains addiction solely through the influence of genes and biochemicals. does not consider nurture such as learning addiction from the envioronment (i.e. associating smoking with relaxing). holistic approach needed.

Scientific validity - based on objective methods such as identifying genes. more respected.

Research is correlational - no C+E. reduces internal validity.