Biological Explanation 1: Dopamine Flashcards
Explain the role of dopamine in the mesolimbic pathway
Its suggested that addictive substances trigger the release of dopomine in the VTA of the brain, which leads to a sense of pleasure in the nucleus accumbens. Which was evolved to reward us for survival behaviours. But this becomes maladaptive as we seak behaviour.
Research - showed that regrdless of win or loses, ppts dopamine levels increased during a gambling task
What is the VTA? (meslombic pathway)
The ventral tegmental area
How is dopamine associated with tolerance and withdrawal?
Tolerance increases as the dopamine receptor sites become less sensitive to the effects. Research has shown a decrease in D2 receptors and in dopamine release, therefore they need to do more to gain the same high. If one experiences negative withdrawal symptoms, engaging in the behaviour becomes more about trying to avoid withdrawals
What cognitive functions is the frontal cortex linked to?
Decisions making and memory
What is the frontal cortex’s role in maintaining addiction?
Although dopamine explains the appeal, the matinence and relapse can be explained by the frontal cortext turning a behaviour to an addiction. Its suggested that in some individuals addictions change the brain circuits that decide where our attention goes (salience). Therefore the dopamine system is making them want it rather than enjoy it.
What research supports the theory of the frontal cortex’s role in maintaining addiction? (Frontal lobe abnormalities)
Research- coke addicts showed abnormaloties in their frontal cortex and impaired preformance in tasks that would usually use the frontal cortex, such as decision making
What research supports the theory of the frontal cortex’s role in maintaining addiction? (Brain activity)
Addicts showed an increase in activity in their frontal cortext when exposed again to the drug or cues associated with them
What are the 4 evaluation points for Dopamine (Bio-Explanation for Addiction)
Not all addictive behaviours increase dopamine
The complex role of dopamine
Methological issues
Use of non-human animap studies
Explain the evaluation point of not all addictive behaviours increase dopamine levels
Two pieces of Research have found that both alcohol and cannabis show no sinificant increase in dopamine, despite people becoming addicted to both, this suggests dopamine isnt sufficient enough to explain all addictions
Explain the evaluation point of the complexity of the role of dopamine
Dopamine has a range of other functions aswell, not just rewards. Research has showm that dopamine may also help us avoid adverse stimuli. E.g PTSD victims showed higher activation in the NAc when subjected to combat sounds
Explain the evaluation point of methodological issues in the research on dopamine and addiction
The research has been criticised for having small samples and being conducted in a lab, meaning they lack validity
Explain the evaluation point of the use of non-human animal studies
Most of the research conducted on the role of dopamine and the frontal lobe. Meaning it doesnt give true insight into how humans get addicted as it misses the social context which humans experience
